Citicoline
14 benefits mapped to clinical evidence across supplements.
Dose per serving from products
282 products in our catalogue print how much Citicoline a serving holds.
Most common: 100 mg to 250 mg, 56% of 282 products.
| Dose per serving | Products |
|---|---|
| 10 mg or less | 5 |
| 10 mg to 25 mg | 11 |
| 25 mg to 50 mg | 37 |
| 50 mg to 100 mg | 22 |
| 100 mg to 250 mg | 157 |
| 250 mg to 500 mg | 29 |
| 500 mg to 1 g | 13 |
| over 1 g | 8 |
Dose per serving from research
31 study groups in 25 studies say how much Citicoline participants took a day.
These are the doses the studies gave. They are not a recommendation.
Most common: 250 mg to 500 mg, 45% of 31 study groups.
| Daily dose | Study groups |
|---|---|
| 100 mg to 250 mg | 3 |
| 250 mg to 500 mg | 14 |
| 500 mg to 1 g | 5 |
| 1 g to 2.5 g | 8 |
| over 2.5 g | 1 |
Benefit Evidence
Brain metabolism +NAA/Cho
Gray matter + visual
Stroke/head injury outcomes
Research sources
Brain health (11)
- Efficacy of Citicoline as a Neuroprotector in children with post cardiac arrest: a randomized controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 33169240
Postâcardiac arrest trial showed improved neurological outcomes and biomarkers, consistent with acute neuroprotection and resilience.
- Can Treatment With Citicoline Eyedrops Reduce Progression in Glaucoma? The Results of a Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 32541370
3âyear structural preservation (less RNFL thinning) in glaucoma implies longâterm neuroprotective/resilience effects on retinal ganglion cells.
- Effects of cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline on gray matter volumes in methamphetamine-dependent patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 34507102
Grayâmatter increases in prefrontal and hippocampal regions (neuroplastic changes) plus correlated clinical benefits suggest support for resilience/repair.
- Neurochemical alterations in methamphetamine-dependent patients treated with cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline: a longitudinal proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
PubMed ID: 20043005
Prefrontal metabolite increases in methamphetamine users related to behavioral improvement, consistent with support for neural recovery/resilience.
- [Brain protection in heart surgery]
PubMed ID: 1763227
Higher-dose CDPâcholine reduced persistence of neuropsychological deficits after cardiac surgeryâsupports resilience to perioperative brain injury.
- Effects of CDP-choline on the recovery of patients with head injury
PubMed ID: 1940960
Large single-blind randomized head-injury study reported better overall recovery and shorter hospitalization with CDPâcholine, indicating resilience during recovery.
- A randomized dose-response trial of citicoline in acute ischemic stroke patients. Citicoline Stroke Study Group
PubMed ID: 9305321
Multicenter trial in acute ischemic stroke showed improved functional/neurologic outcomes at 90 days with citicoline.
- A randomized efficacy trial of citicoline in patients with acute ischemic stroke
PubMed ID: 10582983
Large trial was negative overall but a subgroup with more severe strokes showed â12% absolute full-recovery benefit, suggesting targeted resilience benefits.
- Electrophysiological assessment of glaucomatous visual dysfunction during treatment with cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (citicoline): a study of 8 years of follow-up
PubMed ID: 16249960
Intermittent longâterm citicoline produced sustained electrophysiological improvements, consistent with maintained neural function over time.
- Citicoline oral solution in glaucoma: is there a role in slowing disease progression?
PubMed ID: 23615390
Twoâyear study in progressing glaucoma showing slowed visual field loss suggests a diseaseâmodifying/resilience effect in retinal/cortical pathways.
- Neuroenhancement and neuroprotection by oral solution citicoline in non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy as a model of neurodegeneration: A randomized pilot study
PubMed ID: 31348806
Stabilization/improvement of RNFL and visual pathway function in NAION indicates protection of neural structures (resilience signal).
Eye health (11)
- Cytidin-5'-diphosphocholine enhances the effect of part-time occlusion in amblyopia
PubMed ID: 9550353
Pediatric randomized study: CDPâcholine improved vision and augmented occlusion therapy in amblyopia.
- Effect of citicoline on visual acuity in amblyopia: preliminary results
PubMed ID: 7622080
Randomized/double-blind evidence that citicoline improved visual acuity in adult amblyopia with durable effects.
- Cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (citicoline) improves retinal and cortical responses in patients with glaucoma
PubMed ID: 10366081
Objective VEP/PERG improvements in glaucoma patients demonstrate enhanced retinal/visual pathway function.
- Electrophysiological assessment of glaucomatous visual dysfunction during treatment with cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (citicoline): a study of 8 years of follow-up
PubMed ID: 16249960
Randomized placeboâcontrolled longâterm study showed sustained, significant improvements in VEP and PERG (direct electrophysiologic evidence of sharper visual processing).
- Effect of oral CDP-choline on visual function in young amblyopic patients
PubMed ID: 17638004
In amblyopic children, CDPâcholine helped maintain acuity gains at later followâup (support for durable visual processing benefits).
- Citicoline oral solution in glaucoma: is there a role in slowing disease progression?
PubMed ID: 23615390
Twoâyear prospective series showed marked slowing of mean visual field deterioration in progressing glaucoma (functional visual benefit).
- Effectiveness of the addition of citicoline to patching in the treatment of amblyopia around visual maturity: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 24618483
Randomized trial in amblyopic children showed superior and sustained visualâacuity gains when citicoline was added (visual processing improvement).
- Treatment with citicoline eye drops enhances retinal function and neural conduction along the visual pathways in open angle glaucoma
PubMed ID: 26004075
Topical citicoline in glaucoma produced objective PERG and VEP improvements (direct measures of retinal and visual pathway function).
- Neuroenhancement and neuroprotection by oral solution citicoline in non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy as a model of neurodegeneration: A randomized pilot study
PubMed ID: 31348806
Oral citicoline in NAION improved PERG/VEP, visual fields and stabilized RNFL thickness (objective functional and structural visual benefits).
- Neuroprotective Effect of Citicoline Eye Drops on Corneal Sensitivity After LASIK
PubMed ID: 31830292
Topical citicoline after LASIK accelerated corneal sensitivity recovery early postâop â sensory/visual processing support.
- Can Treatment With Citicoline Eyedrops Reduce Progression in Glaucoma? The Results of a Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 32541370
3âyear RCT in progressing glaucoma showed less central visual field loss and smaller RNFL thinning with topical citicoline (functional/structural visual protection).
Learning (7)
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of citicoline add-on therapy in outpatients with bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence
PubMed ID: 17873684
Declarative memory improvement (Rey AVLT) suggests better acquisition/retention â supports learning enhancement in that domain.
- Citicoline improves verbal memory in aging
PubMed ID: 8624220
Positive RCT effects on verbal memory indicate facilitation of learning processes, especially at higher doses.
- Long-term treatment with citicoline may improve poststroke vascular cognitive impairment
PubMed ID: 23406981
Improved executive/attention domain performance after citicoline plausibly enhances multitasking capacity (indirect evidence).
- Effectiveness of the addition of citicoline to patching in the treatment of amblyopia around visual maturity: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 24618483
In amblyopic children who plateaued with patching, adding citicoline produced greater and sustained visualâacuity gains â supports improved learning/plasticity for visual skills.
- The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males
PubMed ID: 26179181
Improvements in attention and psychomotor speed could translate into better multiâtask performance (indirect behavioral inference).
- Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 33978188
Significant improvement in pairedâassociate (episodic recall) tasks supports better encoding/learning in older adults.
- Effects of cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline on gray matter volumes in methamphetamine-dependent patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 34507102
Hippocampal GM increases after treatment are consistent with enhanced capacity for learning (structural/neuroplastic signal).
Memory (7)
- [The effect of the use of the drug recognan (citicoline) on the state of higher mental functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment]
PubMed ID: 34693689
Reported memory gains in a small program support improved recall but study quality is limited.
- Effects of cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline on gray matter volumes in methamphetamine-dependent patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 34507102
8âweek study in methamphetamine users reported hippocampal grayâmatter increases (structural change in a memoryârelevant region) that correlated with clinical improvements.
- Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 33978188
Randomized, doubleâblind trial in older adults (n=100) showed modest but significant improvements in episodic and composite memory vs placebo.
- Targeting alpha-7 nicotinic neurotransmission in schizophrenia: a novel agonist strategy
PubMed ID: 23768813
Small schizophrenia trial (CDPâcholine + galantamine) showed episodic memory improvement, though combined treatment confounds attribution.
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of citicoline add-on therapy in outpatients with bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence
PubMed ID: 17873684
Randomized addâon trial in bipolar cocaineâdependent patients showed significant improvement on Rey AVLT (direct objective memory benefit).
- Double-blind placebo-controlled study with citicoline in APOE genotyped Alzheimer's disease patients. Effects on cognitive performance, brain bioelectrical activity and cerebral perfusion
PubMed ID: 10669911
In mild-moderate AD patients, citicoline produced modest cognitive (ADAS) improvements, particularly in some genetic/milder cases.
- Citicoline improves verbal memory in aging
PubMed ID: 8624220
Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial in older adults showed verbal memory improvements, especially at higher dose and in those with poor baseline memory.
Focus & concentration (4)
- The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males
PubMed ID: 26179181
Primary outcomes included improved attention (p=0.02) in healthy adolescent RCT â direct evidence.
- [The effect of the use of the drug recognan (citicoline) on the state of higher mental functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment]
PubMed ID: 34693689
Reported concentration/attention gains after 30 days (supportive but limited quality).
- [Current treatment options for autonomic, cognitive and emotional disorders in patients with asthenic syndrome treated with recognan (citicoline)]
PubMed ID: 31464286
Asthenic syndrome study reported improvements in fatigue, cognitive and emotional symptoms consistent with reduced subjective 'brain fog'.
- Long-term treatment with citicoline may improve poststroke vascular cognitive impairment
PubMed ID: 23406981
Demonstrated improvements in attention/executive domains support better sustained focus (openâlabel RCT).
Healthy aging (5)
- Electrophysiological assessment of glaucomatous visual dysfunction during treatment with cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (citicoline): a study of 8 years of follow-up
PubMed ID: 16249960
Repeated longâterm electrophysiologic improvements with intermittent therapy support maintenance of neural function over years (supports healthy aging of visual pathways).
- Double-blind placebo-controlled study with citicoline in APOE genotyped Alzheimer's disease patients. Effects on cognitive performance, brain bioelectrical activity and cerebral perfusion
PubMed ID: 10669911
Cognitive/EEG/perfusion improvements in mild AD and APOE Îľ4 subgroup suggest potential benefit for early-age-related cognitive decline in selected patients.
- Citicoline oral solution in glaucoma: is there a role in slowing disease progression?
PubMed ID: 23615390
Slowed progression of visual field loss over 2 years in glaucoma patients suggests a protective effect relevant to aging neural tissue in the visual system.
- Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 33978188
Doubleâblind RCT in older adults with ageârelated memory decline showed modest memory improvements, directly relevant to aging support.
- Effects of cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline on gray matter volumes in methamphetamine-dependent patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 34507102
Neuroplastic grayâmatter increases (hippocampus/prefrontal cortex) suggest potential for supporting brain health, though population differed (MA users).
Mental clarity (3)
- [Current treatment options for autonomic, cognitive and emotional disorders in patients with asthenic syndrome treated with recognan (citicoline)]
PubMed ID: 31464286
Small trial in asthenic syndrome reported improvements in fatigue and cognitive/emotional symptoms (subjective clarity).
- The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males
PubMed ID: 26179181
Improved attention and reduced impulsivity in adolescents supports clearer, more organized cognition.
- Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 33978188
Olderâadult RCT showed modest improvements in composite memory and episodic recall consistent with clearer cognition.
Nerve health (3)
- Electrophysiological assessment of glaucomatous visual dysfunction during treatment with cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (citicoline): a study of 8 years of follow-up
PubMed ID: 16249960
Sustained improvements in VEP and PERG after repeated citicoline cycles show improved retinal and cortical signal transmission (objective electrophysiologic evidence).
- Combining CDP-choline and galantamine: Effects of a selective Îą7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist strategy on P50 sensory gating of speech sounds in healthy volunteers
PubMed ID: 30920339
CDPâcholine+galantamine improved P50 sensory gating in low baseline suppressors (direct evidence of improved cholinergic/Îą7ânAChRârelated signaling).
- CDP-choline and galantamine, a personalized Îą7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor targeted treatment for the modulation of speech MMN indexed deviance detection in healthy volunteers: a pilot study
PubMed ID: 32851421
Acute increase in mismatchânegativity (MMN) amplitude with CDPâcholine+galantamine in low baseline responders (auditory devianceâdetection signaling improvement).
Alertness (2)
- The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males
PubMed ID: 26179181
Improved attention and psychomotor speed in adolescents implies greater alertness during tasks.
- Long-term treatment with citicoline may improve poststroke vascular cognitive impairment
PubMed ID: 23406981
Attention/executive improvements after stroke likely increase alertness levels (openâlabel evidence).
Mood balance (2)
- Citicoline Combination Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PubMed ID: 28085707
Adjunctive RCT with citalopram showed significant reductions in depressive scores and higher remission rates.
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of citicoline for bipolar and unipolar depression and methamphetamine dependence
PubMed ID: 22974472
Randomized trial in moodâdisordered, methamphetamineâdependent adults showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms (direct evidence).
Motivation & confidence (2)
- Citicoline (CDP-choline) add-on therapy to risperidone for treatment of negative symptoms in patients with stable schizophrenia: A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 29901250
Addâon trial in schizophrenia produced robust reductions in negative symptoms (which include avolition/motivation), indicating improved motivational symptoms.
- Effects of cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline on gray matter volumes in methamphetamine-dependent patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 34507102
Structural increases in prefrontal/hippocampal GM correlated with reduced craving and greater abstinence in MA users, consistent with improved motivation to remain abstinent.
Energy & Fatigue (1)
- Efficacy of Citicoline as a Neuroprotector in children with post cardiac arrest: a randomized controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 33169240
Pediatric postâcardiac arrest RCT showed reduced NSE and improved neurological recovery, consistent with neuroprotective/metabolic support (indirect evidence for energy support).
Productivity (1)
- The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males
PubMed ID: 26179181
RCT showed improved psychomotor speed/motor speed vs placebo (direct measure of reaction/motor speed).
Endurance (1)
- [Current treatment options for autonomic, cognitive and emotional disorders in patients with asthenic syndrome treated with recognan (citicoline)]
PubMed ID: 31464286
Small trial in asthenic syndrome showed reduced fatigue and cognitive symptom improvement (directly relevant to stamina/endurance).
Similar by evidence
Supplements the same benefits carry qualifying findings for â a fact about the evidence graph, not a recommendation to swap.
Products with Citicoline
Search all373 products whose verified label declares Citicoline â not every bottle that mentions it in a title.
Being studied right now
Recruiting clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A trial in progress has no result yet â this is what the field is asking, not what it found.