Citicoline: Nootropic Spotlight

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About the Author

Charlotte was awarded a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Bristol. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Leeds.

 

Contents

• What is Citicoline?
• Citicoline Benefits
• Citicoline Mechanism of Action
• Citicoline Side Effects

  

Citicoline: A Health Guide to Safe and Effective Supplementation

 

 

What is Citicoline?

Citicoline is the short name for the compound known as cytidine-5’-diphophocholine (sometimes abbreviated as CDP-choline)¹.

It was discovered at the University of Chicago in 1955, by Eugene Kennedy and Samuel Weiss, and has since been renowned for its brain boosting and neuroprotective abilities^2,3.

Unfortunately, citicoline is only found in very low quantities in food, and therefore requires supplementation for us to take advantage of this cognitive enhancing compound³.

 

Citicoline Benefits

Citicoline boasts a plethora of benefits for our brain health, of which (to name a few) include:

• Memory booster: A meta-analysis of double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials indicated that citicoline was effective at improving memory^4,5.
• Neuro-protector: Citicoline has been found to enhance neuroplasticity in stroke patients, and protect neurons against oxidative stress and damage^6,7.
• Mood enhancer: Citicoline stimulates the production of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, essential neurotransmitters for determining our mood^2–4.

 

 

Citicoline Mechanism of Action

Phospholipids are important molecules that make up our cell membranes, of which there are many different types. Citicoline plays a role in the synthesis of the phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine, and the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine^1,4,8.

Neurons vital to our learning, memory and attention need acetylcholine to function. If acetylcholine is depleted, our neurons will use phospholipids as a source of choline instead – which in turn breaks down the neuron cell membrane^2,3,9!

Supplementing with citicoline ensures a healthy level of acetylcholine for efficient neurotransmission, and supports the integrity and repair of neuronal cell membranes^3,10.

Citicoline is also involved in the synthesis of glutathione, an important antioxidant that protects brain cells against oxidative stress, damage and death^2,7.

If that wasn’t enough, citicoline has even been shown to support mitochondrial function, improving energy efficiency in the brain¹¹.

Citicoline is therefore a cognitive enhancer; supporting neuron membrane integrity, protecting against oxidative damage, and stimulating neurotransmitter synthesis.

 

Citicoline Side Effects

In phase-III clinical trials, almost no adverse side effects have been observed. However, mild side effects are possible, as with any supplement, and the following side effects could occur^3,12:

• Stomach ache/nausea
• Headache
• Constipation/diarrhoea
• Trouble sleeping

  

Evidence

1. Grieb, P. Neuroprotective Properties of Citicoline: Facts, Doubts and Unresolved Issues. CNS Drugs 2014, 28 (3), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-014-0144-8.
2. (Adibhatla, R. M.; Hatcher, J. F.; Dempsey, R. J. Citicoline: Neuroprotective Mechanisms in Cerebral Ischemia. Journal of Neurochemistry 2002, 80 (1), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0022-3042.2001.00697.x.
3. Cook, S. The Unique Benefits of Citicoline: An Emerging Nootropic and Brain-Health Nutrient; Natural Medicine Journal; Impact Health Media, Inc., 2018.
4. Fioravanti, M.; Buckley, A. E. Citicoline (Cognizin) in the Treatment of Cognitive Impairment. Clin Interv Aging 2006, 1 (3), 247–251.
5. Fioravanti, M.; Yanagi, M. Cytidinediphosphocholine (CDP-Choline) for Cognitive and Behavioural Disturbances Associated with Chronic Cerebral Disorders in the Elderly. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005, No. 2, CD000269. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000269.pub3.
6. Hurtado, O.; Lizasoain, I.; Moro, M. Á. Neuroprotection and Recovery. Stroke 2011, 42 (1_suppl_1), S33–S35. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.597435.
7. Fresta, M.; Puglisi, G.; Di Giacomo, C.; Russo, A. Liposomes as In-Vivo Carriers for Citicoline: Effects on Rat Cerebral Post-Ischaemic Reperfusion. J Pharm Pharmacol 1994, 46 (12), 974–981. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03252.x.
8. Alvarez, X. A.; Laredo, M.; Corzo, D.; Fernández-Novoa, L.; Mouzo, R.; Perea, J. E.; Daniele, D.; Cacabelos, R. Citicoline Improves Memory Performance in Elderly Subjects. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1997, 19 (3), 201–210.
9. Adibhatla, R. M.; Hatcher, J. F. Cytidine 5’-Diphosphocholine (CDP-Choline) in Stroke and Other CNS Disorders. Neurochem Res 2005, 30 (1), 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-004-9681-8.
10. McGlade, E.; Locatelli, A.; Hardy, J.; Kamiya, T.; Morita, M.; Morishita, K.; Sugimura, Y.; Yurgelun-Todd, D. Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration in Healthy Adult Women. Food and Nutrition Sciences 2012, 3 (6), 769–773. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2012.36103.
11. Silveri, M. M.; Dikan, J.; Ross, A. J.; Jensen, J. E.; Kamiya, T.; Kawada, Y.; Renshaw, P. F.; Yurgelun-Todd, D. A. Citicoline Enhances Frontal Lobe Bioenergetics as Measured by Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. NMR Biomed 2008, 21 (10), 1066–1075. https://doi.org/10.1002/nbm.1281.
12. CITICOLINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1090/citicoline (accessed 2022-06-06).