Also known as: CST-14, Cortistatin-14, CST-17, Cortistatin-17
Sleep regulation and anti-inflammatory research
Amount
0.1-1.0 nmol (preclinical ICV doses)
Frequency
Single or daily dosing (preclinical)
Duration
Acute single-dose to 10 days
Route
IVTiming
Preclinical routes only (ICV and IP in animal models). No clinically applicable route has been established for human use.
Duration
Study-dependent (acute to 10 days)
Repeatable
Single cycle
CBC with differential
When: Baseline
Why: Baseline blood cell counts before research use
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
When: Baseline
Why: Liver and kidney function baseline
Growth hormone and IGF-1 levels
When: Baseline
Why: Cortistatin shares somatostatin receptor binding which affects GH regulation
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Cortistatin is a cyclic neuropeptide first identified in 1996 by Luis de Lecea and colleagues at The Scripps Research Institute. It was discovered through a subtractive hybridization screen designed to identify genes selectively expressed in the cerebral cortex. The name "cortistatin" reflects its cortical expression and its ability to depress (stasis) cortical neuronal activity.
Cortistatin exists in two major forms: cortistatin-14 (CST-14, 14 amino acids) and cortistatin-17 (CST-17, 17 amino acids with an N-terminal extension), both derived from a 112-amino-acid precursor protein (preprocortistatin) encoded by the CORT gene on human chromosome 1. The peptide is expressed predominantly in a subset of GABAergic interneurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, partially overlapping with but distinct from somatostatin-expressing neurons.
Cortistatin's sleep-promoting activity is its most distinctive neurological function. Intracerebroventricular administration in rats selectively promotes deep slow-wave sleep (SWS) by enhancing EEG synchronization, without affecting REM sleep or total sleep time. This mechanism appears to involve antagonism of acetylcholine-mediated cortical excitation, effectively reducing cortical arousal.
Preprocortistatin mRNA expression follows a circadian rhythm and is upregulated after sleep deprivation, suggesting cortistatin functions as an endogenous homeostatic sleep factor. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) regulates cortistatin expression in an activity-dependent manner, linking cortistatin to sleep homeostasis.
Cortistatin has a unique receptor binding profile:
Cortistatin exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects through multiple mechanisms:
All cortistatin research remains preclinical. Key areas of investigation include:
A cortical neuropeptide with neuronal depressant and sleep-modulating properties, published in Nature (de Lecea L et al., 1996; PMID: 8622767):
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See real-world usage patterns alongside the clinical evidence above. Community-sourced, not clinically verified.
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This website is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or supplement.
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