CDP-Choline (Citicoline)
Endogenous nucleotide that serves as an intermediate in phosphatidylcholine synthesis. Hydrolysed to choline and cytidine upon absorption, then resynthesised in the brain. Biphasic absorption with peaks at 1h and 24h. Long elimination half-life (~56-71h) allows accumulation with regular dosing.
Projected serum levels — 250 mg, once daily
Maintenance schedule: 250 mg once daily (oral).
Modeled steady state after ~1 days: peak ≈ 178 mg, trough ≈ 0.000 mg body load. Population-based estimate over 19 days for a 250 mg dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.
Key facts
- Category
- Cholinergic
- Route modeled
- Oral
- Model confidence
- inferred
- Half-life
- 2.3 days
- Common dose
- 250 mg
- Suggested maximum
- 2k mg/day
- Reference dose range
- 125–2k mg (single dose)
- Suggested cadence
- once daily
Research behind this entry
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Citicoline and memory function in healthy older adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
RCT showed 12 weeks of citicoline (500 mg/day) significantly improved overall memory performance, especially episodic memory, in healthy older adults with age-associated memory impairment.
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A randomized efficacy trial of citicoline in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Multicentre RCT in acute ischaemic stroke found citicoline (500 mg/day) improved functional and neurological outcomes at 12 weeks compared to placebo.
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Citicoline in vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia after stroke
Long-term citicoline treatment (1000 mg/day for 12 months) prevented cognitive decline after first-ever ischaemic stroke with significant improvements in temporal orientation, attention, and executive function.
3 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.