Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC is a choline donor used for cognition and performance. Evidence remains limited for most outcomes.
Overview
What is Alpha-GPC?
Alpha-GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a choline-containing compound used to enhance cognition, prevent cognitive decline, and improve athletic performance. It is quickly absorbed, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and is metabolized into choline and glycerol-1-phosphate. Choline supports acetylcholine production for memory, focus, and muscle function, while glycerol-1-phosphate helps maintain cell membranes.
Dosage
A typical dose of alpha-GPC is 1200 mg per day (split into 400 mg three times daily).
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most alpha-gpc research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Alzheimer's disease accounts for 2 of 5 studies (40%).
- Stroke accounts for 2 of 5 studies (40%).
- Vascular dementia accounts for 1 of 5 studies (20%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Vascular dementia.
Safety
Alpha-GPC is likely safe at doses of 1200 mg/day (3 x 400 mg/day) for 6 months.
Intramuscular alpha-GPC is possibly safe at a dose of 1000 mg per day for 28 days with a follow up oral dose of 1200 mg/day for 5 months. Around 44 of 2044 patients experienced adverse events including heartburn, nausea-vomit, insomnia and headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Takeaway
Alpha-GPC is a choline compound that may improve cognition in people with Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment when used alone or with donepezil. Evidence is insufficient for stroke recovery and vascular dementia. Typical dosing is 1200 mg daily; long-term use in healthy older adults may be associated with increased stroke risk.
References
Sources7 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Alzheimer's disease
2 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Alzheimer's disease — Activity of Choline Alphoscerate on Adult-Onset Cognitive Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2023
Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found alpha-GPC alone or with donepezil improved cognition, function, and behavior in adult-onset cognitive impairment from cerebrovascular injury.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Alzheimer's disease — Cognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial2003
180-day multicenter RCT in 261 mild-to-moderate Alzheimer patients found choline alfoscerate improved ADAS-Cog, MMSE, and global scores versus worsening on placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Stroke
2 references3.SupplementDEX Database: Stroke — Association of L-α Glycerylphosphorylcholine With Subsequent Stroke Risk After 10 Years2021
Retrospective cohort in adults 50+ found alpha-GPC prescription use was associated with higher 10-year stroke risk in a dose-response manner after matching covariates.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Stroke — α-Glycerophosphocholine in the mental recovery of cerebral ischemic attacks. An Italian multicenter clinical trial1994
Open multicenter trial in 2044 post-stroke or TIA patients given 1000 mg/day IM then 400 mg TID orally for 28 days reported significant cognitive recovery with 2.14% adverse events.
SupplementDEX Database · Vascular dementia
1 reference5.SupplementDEX Database: Vascular dementia — A multicentre trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine versus cytosine diphosphocholine in patients with vascular dementia1991
90-day open RCT in 120 vascular dementia patients given 1 g/day IM alpha-GPC versus CDP-choline found both improved symptoms, with alpha-GPC rated more effective on most psychometric tests.
SupplementDEX Database · Safety (6 months)
1 reference6.SupplementDEX Database: Safety (6 months) — Cognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial2003
180-day multicenter RCT in 261 mild-to-moderate Alzheimer patients found choline alfoscerate improved ADAS-Cog, MMSE, and global scores versus worsening on placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Safety (28 days IM; 5 months oral)
1 reference7.SupplementDEX Database: Safety (28 days IM; 5 months oral) — α-Glycerophosphocholine in the mental recovery of cerebral ischemic attacks. An Italian multicenter clinical trial1994
Open multicenter trial in 2044 post-stroke or TIA patients given 1000 mg/day IM then 400 mg TID orally for 28 days reported significant cognitive recovery with 2.14% adverse events.