Citicoline (INN), also known as cytidine diphosphate-choline (CDP-Choline) or cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine is a psychostimulant/nootropic. It is an intermediate in the generation of phosphatidylcholine from choline.
Studies suggest that CDP-choline supplements increase dopamine receptor densities,[1] and suggest that CDP-choline supplementation helps prevent memory impairment resulting from poor environmental conditions.[2] Preliminary research has found that citicoline supplements help improve focus and mental energy and may possibly be useful in the treatment of attention deficit disorder.[3][4]
Citicoline has also been shown to elevate ACTH independently from CRH levels and to amplify the release of other HPA axis hormones such as LH, FSH, GH and TSH in response to hypothalamic releasing factors.[5] These effects on HPA hormone levels may be beneficial for some individuals but may have undesirable effects in those with medical conditions featuring ACTH or cortisol hypersecretion including PCOS, type II diabetes and major depressive disorder.
Memory disorders
In the hippocampi of rats with induced Alzheimer’s Disease, citicoline counteracts neuronal degeneration and reduces the number of apoptotic cells present.[9] Despite this, no studies have shown statistically significant effects on primary clinical outcomes in humans with Alzheimer’s disease.[citation needed] For this reason, citicoline is not recommended for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.[citation needed]
Ischemic stroke
Citicoline is approved for treatment in cases of head trauma, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease in Japan and Europe. Citicoline improves the clinical outcome following an ischemic stroke, as evidenced by the reduction in size of lesions caused by ischemic strokes after supplementation.[11] It has been claimed that citicoline reduces rates of death and disability following an ischemic stroke.[12] However, the largest trial to date, a randomised, placebo-controlled, sequential trial in patients with moderate-to-severe acute ischaemic stroke in Europe, enrolling 2298 patients, found no benefit of administering citicoline on survival or recovery from stroke.[13]
It should be noted that citicoline is the only substance that ever showed any significant neuroprotective effect at least in patients with less severe stroke events.[14]
Vision
Citicoline improves visual function in patients with glaucoma[15][16] and amblyopia[citation needed]
Satiety
Cocaine dependence is associated with depleted dopamine levels in the central nervous system. In cocaine-dependent individuals citicoline increases brain dopamine levels and reduces cravings.[17] In the general population citicoline increases brain responses to food stimuli, specifically in the amygdala, insula, and lateral orbitofrontal cortex, which correlate with decreased appetite.
