The role of citicoline in cognitive impairment: pharmacological characteristics, possible advantages, and doubts for an old drug with new perspectives.

Gareri Pietro, Castagna Alberto, Cotroneo Antonino Maria, Putignano Salvatore, De Sarro Giovambattista, Bruni Amalia Cecilia
Clinical interventions in aging, 2015

Abstract

Background

Citicoline is able to potentiate neuroplasticity and is a natural precursor of phospholipid synthesis, or rather serves as a choline source in the metabolic pathways for biosynthesis of acetylcholine. Several studies have shown that it can have beneficial effects both in degenerative and in vascular cognitive decline. The aim of the present study was to review the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of this drug and its role in cognitive impairment according to the present medical literature.

Methods

A MEDLINE(®) search was made using the following key words: citicoline, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, elderly, cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies on the possible role of citicoline in increasing sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression were assessed. Some personal studies were also considered, such as the VITA study and the IDEALE study.

Results

Administered by both oral and intravenous routes, citicoline is converted into two major circulating metabolites, cytidine and choline. It is metabolized in the gut wall and liver. Pharmacokinetic studies suggested that it is well absorbed and highly bioavailable with oral dosing. A number of studies have clearly shown the possible role of citicoline in cognitive impairment of diverse etiology. It can also modulate the activity/expression of some protein kinases involved in neuronal death and increases SIRT1 expression in the central nervous system. The VITA study and the IDEALE study suggested that both parenteral and oral citicoline are effective and safe. Other studies have clearly demonstrated citicoline's effects on several cognitive domains. Conversely, some studies did not point out any evidence of efficacy of this drug.

Conclusion

Citicoline appears to be a promising agent to improve cognitive impairment, especially of vascular origin. In fact, so far it appears as a drug with the ability to promote "safe" neuroprotection, capable of enhancing endogenous protective. Large clinical trials are needed to confirm its benefits.

PMID:26366063
Category:Brain / Mental Clarity

The best supplements with Citicoline in Brain / Mental Clarity category:

  • Brain Pill - „An amazing new product that supports your brain health and has the potential to change your life returning laser-sharp mental clarity” - Dr Dave David, a surgeon and physician for more than 37 years. It contains among others: Citicoline.

Articles similar to "The role of citicoline in cognitive impairment: pharmacological characteristics, possible advantages, and doubts for an old drug with new perspectives."

  • The significance of Citicoline for Brain / Mental Clarity: Improvements in concentration, working memory and sustained attention following consumption of a natural citicoline–caffeine beverage. (This study examined the neurocognitive and electrophysiological effects of a citicoline-caffeine-based beverage in 60 healthy adult participants enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial...)
  • The impact of Citicoline on Brain / Mental Clarity: Citicoline (Cognizin) in the treatment of cognitive impairment. (Pharmacological treatment of cerebrovascular disorders was introduced at the beginning of the 20th Century...)
  • The significance of Citicoline for Brain / Mental Clarity: Citicoline in the treatment of cognitive and behavioral disorders in pathologic senile decline. (A three months study was performed on 150 aging patients with primary memory deficits in order to verify the effectiveness of CDP-Choline, administered in repeated cycles of four weeks, with an interval of one week between cycles, in improving patients' cognitive and behavioral efficiency and in stabilizing their cognitive decline...)
  • The role of Citicoline in Brain / Mental Clarity: The effect of citicoline supplementation on motor speed and attention in adolescent males. (OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effects of citicoline, a nutraceutical, on attention, psychomotor function, and impulsivity in healthy adolescent males...)
  • The impact of Citicoline on Brain / Mental Clarity: Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration in Healthy Adult Women. (OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the potential cognitive-enhancing effects of citicoline, a dietary supplement, in healthy adult women... After 28 days of daily citicoline supplementation, participants who were administered either the 250 mg or the 500 mg citicoline doses showed significantly better ability to produce correct responses on the CPT-II, likely due to improved cognitive inhibition. Our findings suggest that citicoline may improve attentional performance in middle-aged women and may ameliorate attentional deficits associated with central nervous system disorders.)
  • The significance of Citicoline for Brain / Mental Clarity: Citicoline improves memory performance in elderly subjects. (Citicoline is a choline donor involved in the biosynthesis of brain phospholipids and acetylcholine extensively used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases... After 28 days of daily citicoline supplementation, participants who were administered either the 250 mg or the 500 mg citicoline doses showed significantly better ability to produce correct responses on the CPT-II, likely due to improved cognitive inhibition. Our findings suggest that citicoline may improve attentional performance in middle-aged women and may ameliorate attentional deficits associated with central nervous system disorders.)
  • The role of Citicoline in Brain / Mental Clarity: Neuroprotective properties of citicoline: facts, doubts and unresolved issues. (Citicoline is the generic name of the pharmaceutical substance that chemically is cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline), which is identical to the natural intracellular precursor of phospholipid phosphatidylcholine... After 28 days of daily citicoline supplementation, participants who were administered either the 250 mg or the 500 mg citicoline doses showed significantly better ability to produce correct responses on the CPT-II, likely due to improved cognitive inhibition. Our findings suggest that citicoline may improve attentional performance in middle-aged women and may ameliorate attentional deficits associated with central nervous system disorders.)
  • The impact of Citicoline on Brain / Mental Clarity: Citicoline-Pharmacological and Clinical Review, 2006 Update. (Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, CDP-choline, or citicoline is an essential intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of structural phospholipids in cell membranes, particularly phosphatidylcholine... After 28 days of daily citicoline supplementation, participants who were administered either the 250 mg or the 500 mg citicoline doses showed significantly better ability to produce correct responses on the CPT-II, likely due to improved cognitive inhibition. Our findings suggest that citicoline may improve attentional performance in middle-aged women and may ameliorate attentional deficits associated with central nervous system disorders.)
  • The significance of Citicoline for Brain / Mental Clarity: Citicoline: pharmacological and clinical review, 2010 update. (This review is based on the previous one published in 2006 -Secades JJ, Lorenzo JL... After 28 days of daily citicoline supplementation, participants who were administered either the 250 mg or the 500 mg citicoline doses showed significantly better ability to produce correct responses on the CPT-II, likely due to improved cognitive inhibition. Our findings suggest that citicoline may improve attentional performance in middle-aged women and may ameliorate attentional deficits associated with central nervous system disorders.)
  • The role of Citicoline in Brain / Mental Clarity: “Brain-specific” nutrients: a memory cure?. (OBJECTIVE: We review the experimental evaluations of several widely marketed nonprescription compounds claimed to be memory enhancers and treatments for age-related memory decline... In sum, for most of the "brain-specific" nutrients we review, some mildly suggestive effects have been found in preliminary controlled studies using standard psychometric memory assessments or more general tests designed to reveal cognitive impairment. We suggest that future evaluations of the possible memory benefits of these supplements might fruitfully focus on memory processes rather than on memory tests per se.)

Previous article

L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses.

Next article

Citicoline (Cognizin) in the treatment of cognitive impairment.