Citicoline (CDP-Choline)
Also known as: CDP-choline, cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, citicoline sodium, cytidine diphosphate choline, Cognizin
Citicoline is a naturally occurring nucleotide that splits in the gut into choline and cytidine (converted to uridine), giving the brain both a choline source for acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine and a uridine source for membrane synthesis. About 20 percent of its mass is choline. A 12-week randomized trial in healthy older adults with age-related memory complaints used 500 mg per day. It is a premium ingredient in memory, focus, and eye-health formulas and is sold as the free base or sodium salt.
Research summary
Hydrolyzed to choline and cytidine; choline feeds acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine synthesis while cytidine/uridine supports phospholipid synthesis via the Kennedy pathway and raises brain dopamine receptor density in animal work.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 mg | 250–500 mg | 500 mg | — |
Doses are mg citicoline (free base or sodium salt as labeled; the sodium salt is about 96 percent citicoline). Choline content is roughly 21 percent (104.2 / 488.3), so 500 mg supplies about 105 mg choline toward the 3,500 mg choline UL. A 12-week randomized trial in adults aged 50 to 85 used 500 mg/day (Nakazaki 2021). Usually taken once or twice daily; no food requirement. Larger daily amounts have been used in medical settings and are not reflected here.
Standardization: ≥98% citicoline sodium or citicoline free base
Source material: fermentation or enzymatic synthesis
Forms of Choline
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citicoline (CDP-Choline) | 250–500 mg | — | Capsule, Tablet, Powder, Liquid | high |
| Choline Bitartrate | 250–550 mg | 41% | Capsule, Tablet, Powder, Liquid | low |
| Alpha-GPC | 300–600 mg | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Liquid | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Water-soluble, mildly bitter; fine in capsules, tablets, and drinks. Hygroscopic, keep dry.
Formulation notes
Stacked with alpha-GPC, bacopa, or lutein and zeaxanthin (eye formulas). Count its choline toward the choline UL. Cognizin is a branded citicoline; cite its standardization only.
Sources
Related ingredients
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
MushroomLion's mane is an edible tooth fungus whose fruiting body and mycelium contain hericenones and erinacines alongside beta-glucan polysaccharides.
Typical: 500–1,000 mg
Ginkgo Biloba Extract
NootropicA leaf extract from the ginkgo tree standardized to flavone glycosides and terpene lactones, long used in memory and circulation formulas.
Typical: 120–240 mg
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Amino acidAn acetylated form of carnitine that crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than carnitine itself and donates acetyl groups for acetylcholine synthesis.
Typical: 500–2,000 mg
Magnesium L-Threonate
MineralA magnesium salt of L-threonic acid, a vitamin C metabolite, developed at MIT as a form that raises brain magnesium in animal models.
Typical: 100–144 mg
Algal DHA (Algae Oil)
Fatty acidAlgal DHA is docosahexaenoic acid produced by fermenting marine microalgae such as Schizochytrium, the same organisms that fish obtain their DHA from.
Typical: 200–500 mg