What is PACAP?
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, a 38-amino-acid neuropeptide studied in migraine provocation research.
PACAP in the library · · Human Trials · What are peptides?
9 registered trials · 41 indexed papers · 178 human / 842 animal studies
From the PeptideWhiz library entry. "As described" sections summarize claims made in the sources; they are not PeptideWhiz endorsements.
What it is
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, a 38-amino-acid neuropeptide studied in migraine provocation research.
Type: Neuropeptide.
Definition (National Library of Medicine)
“A multi-function neuropeptide that acts throughout the body by elevating intracellular cyclic amp level via its interaction with pacap receptors and vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor. Although first isolated from hypothalamic extracts and named for its action on the pituitary, it is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. pacap is important in the control of endocrine and homeostatic processes, such as secretion of pituitary and gut hormones and food intake.”
- MeSH: Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide
Human research
The registered human trials and peer-reviewed human studies linked below are listed from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed. A study is linked only when PACAP is one of its interventions, or is named in the study title or subject headings.
Listing a study does not mean it showed a benefit, and it is not medical advice.
Registered human trials (9)
Peer-reviewed studies (41)
More cited research
- CGRP, VIP and PACAP plasmatic levels in migraine patients before and after anti-CGRP(R) monoclonal antibodies treatment (2026, human observational)
- Comparative Analysis of CGRP, VIP and PACAP-38 Levels in Migraine with and Without Aura: A Case-control Study (2025, human observational)
- Effects of the Neuropeptides Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide in Male Fertility (2024, human observational)
- Pharmacology of PACAP and VIP receptors in the spinal cord highlights the importance of the PAC1 receptor (2024, human observational)
- Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis PACAP Signaling in the Dorsal Medial Habenula Mediates Depression-Related Behavioral Responses After Chronic Stress (2026, animal)
- Spinal pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and PAC1 receptor signaling system is involved in the oxaliplatin-induced acute cold allodynia in mice (2025, animal)
- The hypothalamic effects of PACAP on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in male mice (2025, animal)
- VIP and PACAP enhance hippocampal neuronal cell proliferation especially GFAP-positive astrocytes, while PACAP inhibits neurite outgrowth (2025, animal)
Conditions researched
- Anxiety and panic
- Chronic and systemic inflammation
- Skin sensitivity and body aches on GLP-1 medicines
- Lymphedema and swelling
- Migraine
- Parkinson's disease
- Post-surgical inflammation and surgery recovery
- Rosacea
- Sleep problems (incl. insomnia on peptides)
Related compounds
- Vasopressin
- ACTH (Corticotropin)
- Oxytocin
- Somatostatin
- Endothelin-1
- Insulin (regular human)
- Substance P
- Adrenomedullin
- BNP (Nesiritide)
- CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide)
FAQ
What is PACAP?
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, a 38-amino-acid neuropeptide studied in migraine provocation research.
How many registered human trials study PACAP?
The PeptideWhiz trial index lists 9 registered trials for PACAP, the most recent from 2026.
How much published research exists on PACAP?
The PeptideWhiz paper index links 41 PubMed papers to PACAP; by study type, 178 human and 842 animal studies.
Which conditions is PACAP researched for?
Anxiety and panic, Chronic and systemic inflammation, Skin sensitivity and body aches on GLP-1 medicines, Lymphedema and swelling, Migraine, Parkinson's disease, Post-surgical inflammation and surgery recovery, Rosacea, Sleep problems (incl. insomnia on peptides).
Research and education only. Not medical advice. No dosing guidance. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov registry and PubMed via the PeptideWhiz index (204,289 studies).