ACP-105 Research Overview: Non-Steroidal Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator
Research overview of ACP-105 — a non-steroidal SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator) developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals. Covers receptor selectivity, preclinical efficacy data (muscle, bone, cognitive), suppression profile comparison vs other SARMs, and research context.
TL;DR
- ACP-105 is a non-steroidal SARM with partial AR agonist activity — developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals
- Preclinical: muscle-sparing, bone-protective, and cognitive enhancement effects in rodent models
- Higher oral bioavailability and favorable muscle:prostate selectivity compared to some SARMs
- Testosterone suppression expected; no human clinical trials publicly available
- Research context only — not approved for human use; legal status varies by jurisdiction
Disclaimer: For educational and research purposes only — not medical advice.
ACP-105 is a non-steroidal Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals (the same company known for the antipsychotic Nuplazid). Like other SARMs, it binds the androgen receptor with the goal of producing tissue-selective androgenic effects — primarily anabolic in muscle and bone while minimizing androgenic effects on reproductive tissues, skin, and the HPG axis.
SARM Classification and Mechanism
SARMs achieve tissue selectivity through three primary mechanisms:
- Differential receptor conformation: Small molecule ligands induce different AR conformational changes than steroidal androgens (testosterone, DHT), resulting in different coactivator recruitment and gene expression profiles
- Tissue-specific coregulator expression: Different tissues express different coactivators/corepressors that interact with the AR complex, producing different downstream gene expression from the same receptor
- Partial vs. full agonism: Partial agonists (like ACP-105) produce submaximal AR activation — which may translate to reduced androgenic potency in tissues where full agonism is required for effects, while maintaining meaningful anabolic effects in tissues with higher AR sensitivity
ACP-105 specifically functions as a partial agonist of AR — it binds with high affinity but activates the receptor at submaximal efficacy relative to testosterone.
Preclinical Research Summary
Muscle effects: In castrated male rat models (removing endogenous testosterone), ACP-105 preserved lean mass dose-dependently compared to vehicle. The muscle-sparing effects were dose-equivalent to testosterone in some protocols with reduced prostate stimulation — a favorable selectivity ratio.
Bone effects: In ovariectomized rat models (simulating estrogen deficiency/menopause), ACP-105 preserved bone mineral density in lumbar spine and femur. AR signaling contributes to bone preservation in both sexes — making SARMs potential research tools for osteoporosis prevention independent of sex-specific hormone therapy.
Cognitive effects: A notable finding from preclinical ACP-105 research is cognitive enhancement in aged female rodents. Performance on spatial memory tasks (Morris water maze) improved at doses that produced minimal androgenic effects. This is consistent with known AR expression in hippocampal neurons and androgen's role in neuroplasticity and cognitive function.
Prostate safety: In castrated rat prostate tissue, ACP-105 showed significantly less stimulation of prostate weight compared to testosterone at equianabolic doses — a primary safety metric for androgen-pathway compounds.
Comparison with Other SARMs
| Parameter | ACP-105 | RAD-140 | LGD-4033 | Ostarine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR activity | Partial agonist | Full agonist | Full agonist | Partial agonist |
| Relative potency | Moderate | High | High | Low-moderate |
| Suppression | Lower | Significant | Moderate | Mild |
| Oral bioavailability | High | High | Good | High |
| Human trials | None public | None public | Phase 1 completed | Phase 2 completed |
| Cognitive research | Notable | Some | Minimal | Minimal |
Research Protocols
Due to absence of human pharmacokinetic or efficacy data, research doses are extrapolated from preclinical work:
| Parameter | Research Detail |
|---|---|
| Typical dose range | 5-15mg/day (extrapolated) |
| Half-life | ~2-3 hours estimated (short, may require split dosing) |
| Cycle length | 6-8 weeks research protocols |
| Monitoring | LH, FSH, total testosterone at baseline and end |
| PCT consideration | HPG axis support may be required post-cycle |
Note on dosing: Because no human pharmacokinetic studies are published, ACP-105 dosing in the research community is based on extrapolation from animal data and anecdotal reports. These should be treated with significant uncertainty.
Legal and Regulatory Status
ACP-105 is not approved by FDA, EMA, or other regulatory agencies for human use. It is on WADA's Prohibited List (Selective androgen receptor modulators, class S1.2) and is prohibited in competitive sports. Regulatory status as a research chemical varies by jurisdiction — some countries classify SARMs under general drug analog laws. Researchers must verify local legal status before procurement or use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is ACP-105 available commercially for research? A: ACP-105 is available from some research chemical suppliers, though sourcing quality and purity verification remain significant concerns in this market. Third-party HPLC/MS certificates of analysis should be reviewed for any SARMs research material. Given the absence of human safety data, quality verification is essential.
Q: What is the significance of ACP-105's cognitive research? A: The cognitive effects of ACP-105 in preclinical research are noteworthy because they extend the potential research applications beyond muscle and bone — to neurocognitive aging. Androgen receptor density decreases with aging in certain brain regions, and androgen signaling supports neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function. ACP-105's cognitive effects in aged female rodents may relate to central AR activation that is particularly relevant in low-androgen states (menopause, andropause, aging). This remains entirely preclinical.
Use the Stack Builder Calculator → /calculators/stack
For educational and research purposes only. Not medical advice.
Disclaimer: For educational and research purposes only. Nothing in this article constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. All compounds discussed are research chemicals or investigational compounds unless explicitly noted otherwise. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. Researchers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in their jurisdiction.
Written by the Peptide Performance Calculator Research Team
Our team compiles research guides based on published literature for educational purposes. All content is for research use only — not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes ACP-105 different from other SARMs?
ACP-105 was developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals with a focus on partial agonist activity at the androgen receptor (AR) rather than full agonism. This partial agonism profile is designed to produce tissue-selective effects — anabolic in muscle and bone while having less androgenic activity in prostate and skin. In animal research, ACP-105 shows high oral bioavailability, a favorable muscle:prostate selectivity ratio, and lower suppression of LH/FSH compared to testosterone or full AR agonist SARMs like RAD-140.
What does preclinical research show about ACP-105 effects?
In rodent models, ACP-105 shows: significant lean mass preservation in castrated male rats (muscle-sparing effect without testosterone), bone density preservation in ovariectomized rat models (indicating potential for osteoporosis applications), and notably, cognitive enhancement effects in aged female rodent models using a Morris water maze. The cognitive effects are unusual for SARMs and may relate to AR signaling in hippocampal and cortical neurons. No human clinical trial data is publicly available.
Does ACP-105 suppress testosterone production?
Yes — all SARMs that activate the androgen receptor suppress the HPG axis to some degree (by reducing LH and FSH through androgen receptor feedback at the hypothalamus and pituitary). ACP-105's partial agonist profile is associated with less suppression than full agonists in preclinical data, but testosterone suppression should be expected at research doses. Researchers should monitor LH, FSH, and total testosterone when using any SARM.
New compound guides and calculator updates — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Free Peptide Calculators
7 free calculators covering reconstitution, dosage, syringe units, half-life, injection volume, stack planning, and cycle duration — no account needed.