Citicoline and Attention: New Clinical Findings in Healthy Adults
New Cognizin® Citicoline clinical research presented at an international brain health symposium.
Interest in brain health is expanding beyond aging populations, with attention and cognitive performance becoming priorities for adults navigating increasingly demanding mental workloads. New clinical research presented at an international scientific symposium evaluated the effects of citicoline supplementation on attention in healthy adults, adding to the growing body of evidence supporting Cognizin® Citicoline for everyday cognitive support.
What did the study find? In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, healthy adults who supplemented with Cognizin for 12 weeks showed statistically significant improvements in sustained attention and information processing speed compared with placebo. Key outcomes observed in the study included:
- Improved sustained attention reaction time
- Faster rapid visual information processing reaction time
- Improved mental energy reaction time composite scores
How the Study Was Conducted
Citicoline, also known as CDP choline, is a naturally occurring mononucleotide that has been studied for its role in supporting cognitive function across a range of populations. While previous research has examined citicoline supplementation in individuals with various cognitive impairments, fewer studies have focused on healthy adults experiencing attention related challenges.
To help address this gap, the study was designed as a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial involving healthy men and women between 35 and 75 years of age who reported poor sustained attention.
Participants were assigned to receive either Cognizin citicoline (500 mg daily) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Cognitive performance was evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study using validated computerized tasks that measured attention, reaction time, and information processing.
Study Results and Key Findings
Following the 12 week intervention period, participants who supplemented with Cognizin citicoline demonstrated statistically significant improvements in several attention related measures compared with those who received placebo. These improvements were observed across multiple reaction time-based outcomes, indicating consistent support for attentional performance.
Specifically, individuals in the Cognizin group showed faster reaction times during tasks assessing sustained attention and rapid visual information processing. Composite scores related to mental energy reaction time also improved to a greater extent in the Cognizin group compared with placebo. Results from the intention to treat analysis showed directional consistency with the per protocol findings.
No adverse events related to the study product were reported, and standard safety markers, including hematology and clinical chemistry measures, remained stable throughout the study.
Why These Findings Matter
These findings add to the growing body of research examining how specific nutrients can support cognitive performance in healthy adults. Because attention and information processing are foundational to everyday tasks, understanding how citicoline supplementation performs in well controlled clinical studies helps inform evidence-based approaches to supporting brain health over time.
The study was presented at an international scientific symposium focused on nutrition and brain health, reflecting growing research interest in how specific nutrients may support cognitive performance throughout adulthood.
Scientific Reference
- Nakazaki E, et al. Effect of citicoline supplementation on attention in healthy adults: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Presented at the 5th Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain; June 6–7, 2025; Chania, Greece.
