Scyllo-Inositol as a Neuroactive Agent: From Pharmacokinetics to Neuroprotective and Antiepileptic Effects

Neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy remain major clinical challenges, due to complex etiologies involving protein misfolding, excitotoxicity, metabolic dysregulation, and impaired cellular resilience. These unmet medical needs have stimulated interest in small-molecule modulators capable of targeting multiple pathogenic pathways. Cyclitols, a diverse family of inositol stereoisomers, play essential roles in cellular signaling and brain metabolism; among them, scyllo-inositol (SCI) has gained attention due to its distinct stereochemistry, capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier, and emerging neuroactive properties. Current pharmacokinetic data indicate that SCI exhibits dose-dependent systemic exposure, and good penetration into the central nervous system. Moreover, its supplementation seems to be well-tolerated. In experimental studies both on animals and humans, SCI has been shown to modulate amyloid-β aggregation, stabilize neuronal homeostatic pathways, and reduce network hyperexcitability, suggesting relevance for both neurodegenerative and epileptic phenotypes. Despite promising results, there is still a need for further analyses to define dosing, transporter involvement, and brain exposure thresholds. Collectively, the available data position SCI as a compelling candidate for translational development, warranting further investigation into its therapeutic window and disease-modifying potential across neurological disorders.