Citicoline as a Nootropic

Citicoline is a multi-tasking nootropic that primes, powers and multiplies brain cells for better focus and attention.

Citicoline rejuvenates brain cell health, structure and function in many ways. It is believed to work as a:

• Brain energizer. Citicoline increases brain energy reserves, improves brain energy utilization, and helps neurons “fire” with electrical impulses.
• Neuro-regenerative. Promotes synthesis of  neural “building blocks” (phospholipids) that are used to form, repair and maintain brain cell membranes.
• Neuro-protective. Unlike antioxidants that fight free radicals, citicoline protects brain cells by keeping them well-maintained and well-nourished.
• Brain chemical booster. Signals for production and release of acetylcholine (memory), norepinephrine (attention & focus) and dopamine (alert, calm thinking).
• Cerebral circulation optimizer. Some of citicoline’s cognitive benefits have been attributed to an apparent ability to regulate brain circulation.

Overview

Citicoline has many biological actions that help the brain, but it is first and foremost a “choline donor,” providing raw materials for the synthesis two other notable “cholines”:

1. Phosphatidylcholine (PC): The most important phospholipid “building block” for neurons, PC is used in the creation of fresh new brain cells, as well as in the ongoing repair, rejuvenation and stabilization of brain cell membranes. Citicoline “activates” the bio-synthesis of phospholipids within brain cells.¹
2. Acetylcholine (ACh): Citicoline helps make this neurotransmitter and activates the “cholinergic system” that uses it for neuron-to-neuron signaling used in learning, memory storage and recall. This cholinergic system—and the ACh that lives within it—degrades in Alzheimer’s.²

Both phosphatidylcholine and acetylcholine are believed to decline with age, which may dull cognitive function.^{3 4} Citicoline may boost both of these brain-critical substances–and in doing so, reverse age-related cognitive decline. Citicoline’s support for these two critical neural substances appears to be amplified by its next big brain benefit:

Citicoline boosts brain energy

This benefit is crucial because the brain is your most energy-guzzling organ, consuming 20% of the body’s power supply.⁵ It also perfectly complements Citicoline’s other activities, because brain cell creation, repair and maintenance require a lot of energy, as does the electrical impulse-driven cell-to-cell communication that enables all brain (and nervous system) activity.

Energized brain = sharper cognition and better brain cell replication.

Our take: Citicoline’s brain activities are synergistic. Each of its brain benefits seems to amplify the next… and they combine to profoundly enhance the brain’s structure and function.

Consider these bio-activities of citicoline, and how they seem to fit together and complement each other:

• It boosts phospholipids used as “raw materials” to rejuvenate brain cell membranes…
• Signals for synthesis of neurotransmitters that enable brain cells to communicate…
• “Fine tunes” brain cell membranes to efficiently send and receive neurotransmitters…
• And then supercharges brain energy so these functions “fire on all cylinders.”

What’s especially exciting is that citicoline’s brain health benefits are backed by promising early human research. Let’s check out some of the best citicoline studies so far.

How might Citicoline help mental performance?

Quick, energized thinking. Citicoline nourishes and fine-tunes brain cells to improve attention span, focus and mental energy–a trifecta for peak mental performance in professional and academic settings. In older adults with cognitive decline, it seems to a rejuvenating effect on the brain: It enhances memory and may even reverse degenerative age-related brain changes.

Research

Cognizin® Citicoline boosts brain energy 14% and neural membrane repair 35%

In this study, 16 healthy men and women with an average age of 47 took either 500 mg or 2,000 mg Cognizin® Citicoline every day for 6 weeks and were then evaluated for changes to their brains’ structure and function. Testing revealed a 14% increase in brain ATP (“cellular currency” for brain energy) and 35% increase in brain cell membrane turnover (repair, rejuvenation & replacement).

• Researchers concluded that supplementing with Citicoline may “help to mitigate cognitive declines associated with aging by increasing energy reserves and utilization,” and may also boost levels of the phospholipids that are needed for brain cell membrane synthesis and maintenance.⁶

Citicoline enhances brain cell synthesis and repair

Study subjects were given 500 mg of citicoline daily for six weeks, and then continued with either more citicoline or placebo for another six weeks. Researchers then tested subjects’ brains for photodiesters, produced during brain repair. At the study’s end, researchers reported six weeks of citicoline was associated with a 7.3% increase in brain photodiesters–but the second six-week citicoline regimen showed no further improvement. A subsequent cognitive test showed that subjects’ verbal learning performance improved as brain photodiesters increased.

• Researchers concluded that citicoline stimulated the synthesis and replacement of brain cell membrane phospholipids, and suggested that citicoline supplementation “may be of use in reversing age-related changes in the brain.”⁷

Cognizin® Citicoline sharpens attention & mental performance

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled three-arm study, 60 women between the ages of 40 and 60 were administered a daily dose of 250 mg citicoline, 500 mg citicoline, or placebo for a span of 28 days, and were then were given cognitive performance tests with an emphasis on attention. At the end of the test period, both doses of citicoline were associated with better test scoring, with the 500 mg dose tied to the best mental performance.

• Researchers concluded that Citicoline appeared to enhance cognitive function and may “improve attentional performance in middle-aged women.”⁸

Citicoline supports better memory in elderly populations

Elderly study subjects took either 500 mg citicoline, 1000 mg citicoline, placebo, or citicoline combined with a drug called nimodipine every day for 4 weeks and were tested for cognitive performance. Researchers discovered that, when compared to placebo, citicoline improved memory as “free recall,” while significantly improving word recall, immediate recall, and delayed recall. Researchers tied this result to citicoline’s neuron-regenerative properties and ability to regulate brain circulation.

• Researchers concluded 300-1000 mg of daily citicoline can enhance memory performance in the elderly, and suggested it may be a therapy for addressing memory loss in older populations.⁹

Dosage

Retail Citicoline supplements are usually presented in 250 mg and 500 mg capsules. When taken for brain health and sharp cognitive performance, citicoline dosage typically ranges from 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg daily.

Side Effects

Citicoline seems to be extremely well-tolerated; the biggest studies report absolutely no side effects. Some smaller research studies have reported rare, mild side effects including difficulty sleeping, upset stomach and headaches, but no major adverse events.

Available Forms

• Citicoline: It is available as a straight-up antioxidant with no bells-and-whistles, which may be presented in standalone supplements or in complex brain-booster formulas.
• Cognizin®: This “branded” citicoline is made by a patented fermentation process that produces a pure, water-soluble, allergen-free and vegetarian ingredient. It’s considered premium, and is more expensive than plain citicoline.

References