Citicoline Shown to Improve Memory in Healthy Older Adults

by | Jun 14, 2022 | 2021, Aging, Brain Health, Choline, Cognitive Health

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Study results show supplementing with 500mg/day of citicoline helped to improve memory in healthy older adults. 

agingThe population of older adults is increasing, with an estimated 1 in 6 people reaching over 65 years of age by 2050, according to the United Nations 1,2.  One of the largest concerns in the aging population is cognitive decline.  Although there have been many clinical trials, currently there are not any pharmaceutical treatments available for age-related cognitive decline, making prevention critically important 1,3.  Recent research found supplementing the nutrient citicoline helped improve age-related memory loss in healthy older adults 1.

Dietary measures such as a ketogenic or Mediterranean diet, have been shown to help lessen cognitive decline 1,4.  One of the key nutrients in the diet that has been studied for brain development and aging is choline.  As a person ages, choline uptake in the brain decreases and there tends to be a lower supply of choline in the diet, which may contribute to age-related cognitive decline 1,5.  Additionally, older adults with higher dietary choline levels show better cognitive performance 1,6,7.

Choline can be increased through the diet with meat, fish, egg yolks, liver, broccoli, cauliflower and soy 8. Levels of choline can also be increased with supplementing citicoline (cytidine-5’-diphosphate choline (CDP-choline)).  Citicoline is neuroprotective because it can activate the biosynthesis of phospholipids in the membrane of the neuron, which has multiple protective effects 1,9.

The recent citicoline research included 100 healthy adults (50-85 years of age) with age-associated memory impairment.  Participants were randomized to either a placebo group (n=51) or the citicoline group (n=49; 500mg/day) for 12-weeks.  Participants were instructed to take 2 capsules (citicoline=250mg/capsule) each day at breakfast.  Cognitive performance was assessed at week 0 and week 12 of the study.  Cognitive performance was assessed using Cambridge Brain Sciences computerized tests.

After 12-weeks of supplementing citicoline the results were as follows:

  • The citicoline group had a significant improvement in memory scores (Spatial Span, Feature Match and Composite memory) compared to baseline (P<0.05).
  • The citicoline group compared to placebo group showed a significant improvement in both episodic memory (Paired Associated, improvements of 0.15 citicoline vs 0.06 placebo, P=0.0025) and composite memory (mean citicoline 3.78 vs 0.72 placebo, P<0.0052).

In conclusion, supplementing 500mg/day of citicoline was shown to help improve memory in healthy older adults.  This was the first study to investigate citicoline at 500 mg/day on memory in healthy older adults with age-associated memory impairment.  The researchers also stated it was the first study to demonstrate a beneficial effect of citicoline on episodic memory, the type of memory that helps remember and recall specific events 1.  Researchers suggest citicoline could be a safe and beneficial supplement against age-related memory loss 1. Study limitations include the lack of generalizability of the study due to only screening participants with age-associated memory impairment.

Source:  Nakazaki, Eri, Eunice Mah, Kristen Sanoshy, Danielle Citrolo, and Fumiko Watanabe. “Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” The Journal of Nutrition 151, no. 8 (2021): 2153-2160.

© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Manuscript received November 30, 2020. Initial review completed January 8, 2021. Revision accepted April 5, 2021. First published online May 12, 2021; doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab119 Click here to read the full text study.

Posted June 14, 2022.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Nakazaki E, Mah E, Sanoshy K, Citrolo D, Watanabe F. Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr. Aug 7 2021;151(8):2153-2160. doi:10.1093/jn/nxab119
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  8. MD W. Top Foods High in Choline. Accessed 6/10/22, https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-choline#1
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