10 Proven Benefits of Citicoline (CDP-Choline)

Many studies have shown that CDP-choline is more effective than phosphatidylcholine (PC) in preventing memory impairment. Additionally, it has been shown to increase PC synthesis in the brain, thus contributing to its neuroprotective effects. While CDP-Choline is comparable in efficacy to Alpha-GPC, it provides more comprehensive benefits for cognitive function.

• Citicoline Enhances Memory

Citicoline has been shown to improve memory.

This is partially attributed to its role in increasing acetylcholine levels, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and learning.

Multiple studies have demonstrated the memory-enhancing effects of Citicoline.

In one study, older adults with age-related memory impairments took Citicoline for 12 weeks.

The study participants received either 1,000 mg or 500 mg of Citicoline daily.

They experienced improvements in memory after taking it .

Researchers have also examined the effects of Citicoline on healthy adult women.

The women took 250 mg or 500 mg daily doses of Citicoline for 28 days.

It led to significant improvements in cognitive function, including memory .

Lastly, a team of researchers analyzed various studies on Citicoline’s effects on stroke recovery.

They concluded that patients who received Citicoline showed improvements in memory and cognitive function.

These studies, among others, provide strong evidence for the memory-enhancing effects of Citicoline.

• Citicoline Improves Focus and Attention

Citicoline supports the synthesis of essential neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and dopamine, which play vital roles in attention and focus.

By increasing the availability of these neurotransmitters, Citicoline helps improve attention and focus.

Research has found this to be true.

Several studies have shown that Citicoline supplementation can help enhance attention, focus, and concentration.

In one study, healthy adult women took 250-500 mg daily doses of Citicoline for 28 days.

The researchers found that the women experienced significant improvements in attentional performance .

In another study, researchers found that healthy adults who took Citicoline for six weeks experienced improvements in attention and cognitive function .

And then a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked at the effects of Citicoline on cognitive performance in healthy male volunteers.

The researchers found that participants who received Citicoline showed significant improvements in attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.

Considering all of this research, it’s very clear that Citicoline can be particularly beneficial for students, professionals, or anyone seeking to improve their focus and overall cognitive performance.

• Citicoline Is Neuroprotective

Citicoline is known to be neuroprotective.

It protects brain cells from damage and degeneration.

It does this by maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, reducing oxidative stress, and decreasing inflammation in the brain

These effects contribute to overall brain health. They can also protect against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions.

Several studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of Citicoline, particularly in cases of ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive decline .

Researchers found that Citicoline can help regulate the levels of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. Glutamate can cause neuronal damage when present in excessive amounts .

• Citicoline Helps With Stroke Recovery 

Studies have shown that Citicoline can aid in the recovery process after a stroke.

It does this by enhancing brain plasticity, promoting the growth of new neural connections, and reducing inflammation and neuronal damage.

As a result, it is often used as an adjunct therapy alongside conventional stroke treatments.

Citicoline seems to be particularly helpful in patients who have suffered from ischemic strokes.

Ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. This can then cause cell death and neurological damage.

A pooled analysis of clinical trials looked at the effects of Citicoline in acute ischemic stroke.

The researchers found that patients who received Citicoline experienced improved functional and cognitive outcomes .

Another research review assessed the role of Citicoline in neuroprotection and neurorepair in ischemic stroke.

The authors concluded that Citicoline was generally well-tolerated and could improve functional and cognitive outcomes in stroke patients. This was especially true when administered early in the treatment process .

• Citicoline Improves Mood and Motivation

Citicoline has been linked to increased levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, and reward.

This effect can help improve mood, motivation, and overall well-being.

As a result, some studies have proposed that Citicoline has antidepressant-like effects.

In one study, researchers investigated the effects of Citicoline supplementation on mood and mental energy.

The trial included 60 healthy adult participants. They received either Citicoline (250 mg/day or 500 mg/day) or a placebo for six weeks.

The participants who received Citicoline reported improvements in their mood and mental energy .

• Citicoline Improves Learning

Citicoline has been shown to improve learning.

It does this by promoting various aspects of cognitive function, including memory, attention, and neuroplasticity.

In one study, researchers investigated the effects of Citicoline on learning and memory in adults.

This trial included 60 healthy adults. They received either Citicoline (250 mg/day or 500 mg/day) or a placebo for 28 days.

The researchers found that participants who received Citicoline exhibited improved performance in a variety of cognitive tasks, including those related to learning.

• Citicoline Increases Acetylcholine in the Brain

Acetylcholine is a crucial neurotransmitter involved in various aspects of cognitive function, including learning, memory, and attention.

When Citicoline is ingested and metabolized, it is broken down into choline.

Choline can then cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain.

Once in the brain, choline is used to synthesize acetylcholine.

As a result, Citicoline has been shown to increase choline and acetylcholine levels in the brain. This then contributes to improved cognitive function.

Several studies have demonstrated that Citicoline supplementation can lead to increased acetylcholine levels in the brain.

In one study, researchers investigated the effects of Citicoline on cholinergic neurotransmission.

The results showed that Citicoline increased the release of acetylcholine in the hippocampus, which is a brain region critical for learning and memory .

Another study looked at the effects of Citicoline on the expression of brain plasticity markers.

The authors found that Citicoline led to increased levels of acetylcholine in the brain.

This is just two of the many studies showing that Citicoline supplementation can increase acetylcholine levels in the brain.

• Citicoline Reduces Inflammation in the Brain

Inflammation plays a significant role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders. This includes Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke.

But Citicoline has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, and it can help reduce inflammation in the brain.

For example, Citicoline significantly reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain .

In one study, researchers examined the effects of Citicoline on oxidative stress and inflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

The authors found that Citicoline reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. This reduction in inflammation was then associated with improved cognitive function in the mice.

By reducing brain inflammation, Citicoline can help maintain brain health, and help prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Citicoline Enhances Brain Plasticity 

Brain plasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences.

Brain plasticity plays a crucial role in the formation of new connections between neurons (synaptogenesis) and the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis).

Both synaptogenesis and neurogenesis are essential for learning, memory, and recovery from brain injuries.

Citicoline has been shown to enhance brain plasticity, synaptogenesis and neurogenesis.

In one study, researchers investigated the effects of Citicoline on the expression of brain plasticity markers in a rat model of stroke.

The results showed that Citicoline led to increased expression of plasticity-related proteins and growth factors, such as BDNF and NGF .

Another study found that Citicoline enhances brain plasticity and promotes recovery after stroke .

• Citicoline Helps With Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease

Cognitive decline is characterized by a gradual decrease in mental functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.

Citicoline has been shown to slow down cognitive decline, particularly in aging individuals and those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease

Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of Citicoline in slowing down cognitive decline.

One study looked at the long-term effects of Citicoline in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.

The researchers found that 9 months of Citicoline supplementation significantly improved cognitive performance in these patients .

Another study investigated the effects of Citicoline on cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

The trial found that patients who received Citicoline for 12 months experienced a slower decline in cognitive function .

And then a systematic review evaluated the efficacy of Citicoline in treating cognitive and behavioral disturbances in elderly patients.

The authors concluded that Citicoline showed some benefits in improving cognitive and behavioral symptoms in these patients .

Citicoline’s ability to slow down cognitive decline can be attributed to several mechanisms. It can enhance neurotransmitter production, support brain cell membrane integrity, increase brain plasticity, and reduce inflammation.