Rankings / Cognitive — Nootropics
CDP-choline (citicoline)
Cognitive · Choline precursor / membrane substrate
Tier B-
What this is
Japanese and European clinical use for post-stroke cognition and vascular dementia. IDEALE and COBRIT trials mixed. Generally better tolerated than Alpha-GPC and may carry less TMAO concern due to cytidine content.
Mechanism
Cytidine diphosphate-choline; Kennedy pathway intermediate for phosphatidylcholine synthesis; yields both choline (ACh precursor) and cytidine (converted to uridine; supports membrane biogenesis)
Dose & route
250-2000 mg/day PO divided
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24221491/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23391599/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4689154/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.