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DSIP Source

The search for a biological source

The DSIP reading list

Original reports and reviews, with their different roles in the record.

The precursor review

The 2006 review by Kovalzon and Strekalova examines the source problem: the unidentified gene, precursor and receptor, alongside weak documentation of the sleep hypothesis. The 1977 characterization establishes the original sequence and rabbit EEG result. Together they show why chemical identity and biological origin need separate attention.

Human papers, animal work

The 1981 sleep study, 1989 ACTH experiment, withdrawal pilot and chronic-pain pilot concern humans. The brainstem-slice, ageing and fusion-peptide papers concern animal tissue or animals. Their findings answer different questions.

The list below retains the full citations. The newer orthopaedics review is included as a record of continued interest; it contributes no DSIP treatment trial.

  1. Schoenenberger GA, Monnier M. Characterization of a delta-electroencephalogram (-sleep)-inducing peptide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977;74(3):1282-1286. ↗
  2. Schneider-Helmert D, et al. The influence of synthetic DSIP (delta-sleep-inducing-peptide) on disturbed human sleep. Experientia. 1981;37(8):913-914. ↗
  3. Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle. J Neurochem. 2006;97(2):303-309. ↗
  4. Bjartell A, Ekman R, Bergquist S, Widerlov E. Reduction of immunoreactive ACTH in plasma following intravenous injection of delta sleep-inducing peptide in man. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1989;14(5):347-355. ↗
  5. Popovich IG, Voitenkov BO, Anisimov VN, et al. Effect of delta-sleep inducing peptide-containing preparation Deltaran on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female SHR mice. Mech Ageing Dev. 2003;124(6):721-731. ↗
  6. Mu X, Qu L, Yin L, Wang L, Liu X, Liu D. Pichia pastoris secreted peptides crossing the blood-brain barrier and DSIP fusion peptide efficacy in PCPA-induced insomnia mouse models. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1439536. ↗
  7. Dick P, et al. Successful treatment of withdrawal symptoms with delta sleep-inducing peptide, a neuropeptide with potential agonistic activity on opiate receptors. Neuropsychobiology. 1983;10(2-3):205-208. ↗
  8. Bondarenko TI, et al. Mechanism of delta-sleep inducing peptide geroprotective activity. Adv Gerontol. 2011;24(2):279-285. ↗
  9. Larbig W, et al. Therapeutic effects of delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) in patients with chronic, pronounced pain episodes. A clinical pilot study. Eur Neurol. 1984;23(5):372-385. ↗
  10. Nakamura A, Nakashima M, Sakai K, Niwa M, Nozaki M, Shiomi H. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) stimulates the release of immunoreactive Met-enkephalin from rat lower brainstem slices in vitro. Brain Res. 1989;481:165-168. ↗
  11. Graf MV, Kastin AJ (historical context). Delta sleep-inducing peptide. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2001;18(7):415-417. ↗
  12. Dick P, et al. DSIP in the treatment of withdrawal syndromes from alcohol and opiates. Eur Neurol. 1984;23(5):364-371. ↗
  13. Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2026. ↗