Citicoline
Citicoline (CDP-choline) is a choline donor studied for cognition and neurological outcomes.
Overview
What is citicoline?
Citicoline (CDP-Choline) is a molecule formed in the body during the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from choline.
Citicoline provides precursors for many neurotransmitters, including dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which may have a neuroprotective effect. By lowering glutamate levels, citicoline may protect the brain from injury and improve cognitive function.
Supplementation of citicoline can increase acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine levels in the brain, which may result in improved memory and attention. However, more evidence from high-quality studies is required for this purpose.
Dosage
A standard dose of citicoline is 500 to 1000 mg per day, split into two doses. Doses above 2000 mg per day do not appear to result in greater benefits.
Whilst studies typically use 250 to 1,000 mg per day, some studies have safely used higher doses of up to 2500 mg per day. Most studies that use citicoline for age-related cognitive decline use a lower dose of around 250 to 1000 mg per day.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most citicoline research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Glaucoma accounts for 7 of 11 studies (64%).
- Age-related cognitive decline accounts for 4 of 11 studies (36%).
Dietary Sources
Top dietary sources
Ranked by amount per 100 g
Citicoline provides the body with cytidine and choline. Intake of these precursors can help in the production of citicoline within the body.
- 294 mg100 g
- 225 mg100 g
- 135 mg100 g
- 117 mg100 g
- 113 mg100 g
- 89.9 mg100 g
- 77.8 mg100 g
- 44.7 mg100 g
Safety
The use of citicoline for pregnant women has not been well studied.
Dose windows
Side effects
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
Special populations
Children
Likely safeIn children[17] below 5 years of age, doses of 250 mg per day have been safely used for up to 12 months. In children above five years of age, doses of 500 mg per day have safely been used for up to 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Takeaway
Citicoline has reliable benefits for brain health and may improve memory in older adults. In some people, taking citicoline may slow glaucoma progression. Citicoline can reliably increase levels of cytidine and phosphatidylcholine in the body, precursors for many neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Supplementation may have benefits for neuronal repair and membrane function.
References
Sources18 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
What is citicoline
2 references1.(Neuroprotective effect). See external sourceExternal source
2.(Lowering glutamate levels)External source
3.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related cognitive decline — Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2021
A 12-week manufacturer-funded study of 99 otherwise healthy adults with age-associated memory impairment found that 500 mg/day citicoline led to an improvement in episodic memory (mean 0.15 vs. 0.06, P = 0.0025) and composite memory (mean 3.78 vs. 0.72, P = 0.0052) when compared to placebo.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related cognitive decline — Cytidinediphosphocholine (CDP-choline) for cognitive and behavioural disturbances associated with chronic cerebral disorders in the elderly2005
A Cochrane review of 14 trials found CDP-choline may modestly improve cognition and behavior in elderly patients with chronic cerebral disorders, though study quality varied widely.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related cognitive decline — Citicoline improves memory performance in elderly subjects1997
A 4-week study of elderly subjects with memory deficits but without dementia found that citicoline (500 mg/day or 1000 mg/day, n = 8) and a combination of citicoline + nimodipine (300 mg/day citicoline + 90 mg/day nimodipine) led to significant improvements in free word recall, immediate object recall, and delayed object recall compared to placebo. Similar improvements for memory were found across all treatments. However, citicoline did not improve recognition memory.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related cognitive decline — Citicoline improves verbal memory in aging1996
A 90-day study of 95 well-educated subjects (mean 14.3 years of schooling, functionally independent, MMSE ≥ 26/30) found that citicoline (1000 mg/day) only improved delayed recall on logical memory in subjects with existing memory inefficiencies. A subgroup of 32 participants with inefficient memories underwent a crossover trial (2000 mg/day citicoline for 2 months), which found improvements for immediate and delayed logical memory.
SupplementDEX Database · Glaucoma
7 references7.SupplementDEX Database: Glaucoma — Efficacy of citicoline as a supplement in glaucoma patients: A systematic review2023
A systematic review of 10 glaucoma studies (424 patients) found insufficient evidence that citicoline slows progression of intraocular pressure, visual field loss, or retinal nerve fiber thinning.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Glaucoma — Can Treatment With Citicoline Eyedrops Reduce Progression in Glaucoma? The Results of a Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial2020
In 80 glaucoma patients over 3 years on IOP-lowering therapy, citicoline eye drops slowed visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer loss versus placebo.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Glaucoma — Effects of Citicoline, Homotaurine, and Vitamin E on Contrast Sensitivity and Visual-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Preliminary Study2020
In primary open-angle glaucoma patients over 4 months, a citicoline-homotaurine-vitamin E combination improved contrast sensitivity and quality of life versus topical therapy alone.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Glaucoma — Citicoline oral solution in glaucoma: is there a role in slowing disease progression?2013
In 41 progressing glaucoma patients over 2 years, oral citicoline slowed mean visual field progression from -1.1 to -0.15 dB/year despite controlled intraocular pressure.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Glaucoma — Evidence of the neuroprotective role of citicoline in glaucoma patients2008
In glaucoma patients over two 60-day courses, oral or intramuscular citicoline 1,000–1,600 mg/day improved pattern electroretinogram and visual evoked potential responses, with partial regression after washout.
12.SupplementDEX Database: Glaucoma — Oral citicoline treatment improves visual pathway function in glaucoma2003
In 21 glaucoma patients, two 2-week courses of oral citicoline 1 g/day improved visual evoked potential latency and amplitude in 62% of eyes.
13.SupplementDEX Database: Glaucoma — Cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (citicoline) improves retinal and cortical responses in patients with glaucoma1999
In 25 glaucoma patients over 60 days, intramuscular citicoline 1,000 mg/day improved visual evoked potentials and pattern electroretinograms versus placebo.
Safety
4 references14.(Citicoline 2,500 mg/day, 8 weeks)External source
15.(1 g/day, 12 months)External source
16.(Long-term use, 24 months). See external sourceExternal source
17.(Citicoline in children)External source
Dietary sources
1 reference18.Choline. Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH. See external sourceExternal source