Rat pups separated from their mothers for several hours each day during the first two weeks of life showed slower growth, heightened anxiety, and increased reactivity as adolescents. Daily intranasal doses of Semax given after the deprivation period largely reversed these effects, normalizing body weight and reducing anxiety back toward normal levels. The findings indicate Semax may help counteract the long-term developmental damage caused by early-life stress.
Volodina, M A; Sebentsova, E A; Glazova, N Y; Levitskaya, N G; Andreeva, L A; Manchenko, D M; Kamensky, A A; Myasoedov, N F