Citicoline (CDP-choline)
What it is
An intermediate in phosphatidylcholine synthesis that supplies choline for acetylcholine and supports neuronal membrane integrity.
What the evidence says
Evidence is promising but limited. A 2021 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in The Journal of Nutrition (n=100, ages 50-85 with age-associated memory impairment) found 500 mg/day for 12 weeks significantly improved episodic and composite memory versus placebo. Other small studies report attention benefits. However, trials are few, often industry-funded, and there is little data in healthy younger adults, so larger confirmatory trials are needed.
250-500 mg/day; the strongest trial used 500 mg/day for 12 weeks.
Educational summary of doses studied — not a recommendation. Talk to a clinician before starting any supplement.
Sources (1)
- Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial — The Journal of Nutrition (PMC8349115) (2021)
Educational summary of published research, checked against primary sources and linked inline. Not medical advice; supplements are not FDA-evaluated to treat disease. See our editorial policy.