Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Citicoline?UsesFood SourcesDosageSafetySimilar SupplementsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Citicoline?
Uses
Food Sources
Dosage
Safety
Similar Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
Citicoline, also known ascytidine-5’-diphosphocholineorCDP-choline, is a fat molecule that is an important part of the cell membrane.
Researchers have studied citicoline in the setting of neurological (brain and nerve) diseases, such as dementia. It is commonly used to enhance cognitive function.
This article discusses citicoline’s potential benefits and safety.
Citicoline Supplement Facts
Citicoline has been studied to treat the following conditions:
Citicoline has improvedcognitionin people with neurological conditions. And it has also improved memory and cognitive function in healthy people.
Older adult solving a crossword puzzle.Goodboy Picture Company / Getty Images
Goodboy Picture Company / Getty Images
Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Citicoline supplementation improved memory in older adults with age-associated memory impairment compared to a placebo (no treatment) group. However, the study is not generalizable to young adults or people with cognitive diseases likedementiaandAlzheimer’s disease(AD).
A review of a collection of studies showed a positive effect of citicoline on cognitive function in people with mild vascular cognitive impairment,vascular dementia, or AD.Because citicoline was used with the standard treatment (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) for AD, the effect of citicoline alone on AD is unclear.
Cognitive Enhancement
In a study, a citicoline-caffeine-based drink improved attention, mental alertness, and memory.Since citicoline was combined with caffeine, it is unclear what the effect of citicoline alone is on attention and memory.
Based on a study in young, healthy males, citicoline improved motor function and attention after four weeks of supplementation.However, study results might not apply to populations other than young, healthy males.
Eye Surgery Recovery
Using citicoline eye drops three times a day for one month after eye surgery aided the recovery of corneal sensitivity afterLASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis).
Stroke Treatment
A systematic review of studies found citicoline alone benefited acuteischemic stroke(blood clots in the brain). However, citicoline offers limited benefits on top of standard stroke treatment withrtPA or recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(clot-busting drug).
Furthermore, one study in people with a first ischemic stroke showed that after the stroke, people who received citicoline over two years had reduced cognitive impairment.
Neuroprotection
Citicoline has been studied for the following neuroprotective (protecting the nerves and brain) effects:
While citicoline may benefit various cognitive conditions, further research is needed to confirm these results.
Foods rich in choline include the following:
The usual therapeutic dose for humans used in clinical trials is 500 to 2,000 mg daily.
Listed below are the citicoline dosing for various conditions used in clinical trials.
Overall, citicoline is well-tolerated and has no adverse systemic cholinergic side effects (e.g., increased saliva and tear production, urination and defecation, and decreased heart rate).
Avoid citicoline if you’re allergic to it or its components (parts). Seek immediate medical attention if you have asevere allergic reaction(itching, hives, shortness of breath).
Side Effects
Although no serious side effects were noted in some studies, mild side effects include the following:
Common side effects include the following:
Interactions
Moreover, citicoline with levodopa allowed for a lower dose of levodopa in studies.
Precautions
Many clinical trials exclude people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, the safety of citicoline in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding is unknown.
Although citicoline is well-tolerated, it is essential not to take more than instructed.
Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting citicoline.
Dietary supplements are not regulated like prescription medications in the United States. Therefore, some may be safer than others. Whenchoosing a supplement, consider factors such as independent testing, potential drug interactions, and other safety concerns. Talk to a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN) about supplement quality and safety.
Other supplements that have cognitive-enhancing properties include the following:
Summary
Not only does citicoline protect the brain, but it also has an excellent safety profile.
Several clinical studies indicate citicoline’s therapeutic potential in various neurological conditions, including age-related cognitive decline and stroke treatment and recovery.
Once citicoline is ingested, it is broken down into two molecules: cytidine and choline.After these two molecules cross the blood-brain barrier separately and reach the brain cells, they combine to form CDP-choline (citicoline) again.Citicoline serves as a source for making phosphatidylcholine, one of the parts of cell membranes.Choline, one of the breakdown products of citicoline, serves as one of the building blocks for the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) involved in memory and muscle movement.
Once citicoline is ingested, it is broken down into two molecules: cytidine and choline.
After these two molecules cross the blood-brain barrier separately and reach the brain cells, they combine to form CDP-choline (citicoline) again.
Citicoline serves as a source for making phosphatidylcholine, one of the parts of cell membranes.
Choline, one of the breakdown products of citicoline, serves as one of the building blocks for the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) involved in memory and muscle movement.
30 Sources
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