Citicoline

Citicoline

Clinical data
Trade names	Neurocoline
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
ATC code	N06BX06 (WHO)
Identifiers
IUPAC name 5'-O-[hydroxy({hydroxy[2-(trimethylammonio)ethoxy] phosphoryl}oxy)phosphoryl]cytidine
Synonyms	Cytidine diphosphate choline
CAS Number	987-78-0 Y
PubChem CID	11583971
ChemSpider	13207 N
UNII	536BQ2JVC7
KEGG	D00057 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:16436 N
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1618340 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.012.346
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C14H27N4O11P2+
Molar mass	489.332 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES C[N+](C)(C)CCOP(=O)([O-])OP(=O)(O)OC[C@@H]1[C@H]([C@H]([C@@H](O1)N2C=CC(=NC2=O)N)O)O
InChI InChI=1S/C14H26N4O11P2/c1-18(2,3)6-7-26-30(22,23)29-31(24,25)27-8-9-11(19)12(20)13(28-9)17-5-4-10(15)16-14(17)21/h4-5,9,11-13,19-20H,6-8H2,1-3H3,(H3-,15,16,21,22,23,24,25)/t9-,11-,12-,13-/m1/s1 N Key:RZZPDXZPRHQOCG-OJAKKHQRSA-N N
NY (what is this?)

Citicoline (INN), also known as cytidine diphosphate-choline (CDP-Choline) or cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine is an intermediate in the generation of phosphatidylcholine from choline, a common biochemical process in cell membranes. Citicoline is naturally occurring in the cells of human and animal tissue, in particular the organs.

Studies suggest that CDP-choline supplements increase dopamine receptor densities, and suggest that CDP-choline supplementation helps prevent memory impairment resulting from poor environmental conditions. Preliminary research has found that citicoline supplements help improve focus and mental energy.

Citicoline has also been shown to elevate ACTH independently from CRH levels and to amplify the release of other HPA axis hormones such as LH, FSH, GH and TSH in response to hypothalamic releasing factors. These effects on HPA hormone levels may be beneficial for some individuals but may have undesirable effects in those with medical conditions featuring ACTH or cortisol hypersecretion including PCOS, type II diabetes and major depressive disorder.

Citicoline is available as a supplement online and in stores. It is sold in over 70 countries under a variety of brand names: Cebroton, Ceraxon, Cidilin, Citifar, Cognizin, Difosfocin, Hipercol, NeurAxon, Nicholin, Sinkron, Somazina, Synapsine, Startonyl, Trausan, etc. When taken as a supplement citicoline is hydrolyzed into choline and cytidine in the intestine. Once these cross the blood–brain barrier it is reformed into citicoline by the rate-limiting enzyme in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, CTP-phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase.