Cognizin® Citicoline Supplementation Supports Brain Energy Metabolism and Membrane Formation: MRS Study Findings
A clinical study found that Cognizin® Citicoline increased ATP and phosphocreatine in the anterior cingulate cortex, these results suggest improvements in brain energy metabolism.
Authors
Marisa M. Silveri, Jessica Dikan, Amy J. Ross, Julie E. Jensen, Toshikazu Kamiya, Yasuyuki Kawada, Perry F. Renshaw, and Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd
Institution
McLean Hospital Brain Imaging Center, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
Source
NMR in Biomedicine. November 2008; 21(10):1066–1075.
Abstract
Rationale
Earlier magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies found that oral citicoline influences phosphorus metabolites involved in brain energy and membrane function. However, those studies relied on low-powered scanners that lacked the resolution to detect regional changes. This study addressed those limitations by using a high-field 4 Tesla scanner and enhanced imaging methods.
Objectives
This study used high-field phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to evaluate the effects of six weeks of Cognizin® Citicoline supplementation on brain energy metabolism and membrane phospholipid turnover in healthy adults. Researchers aimed to characterize regional changes in high-energy phosphate metabolites and membrane-related compounds in the anterior cingulate cortex and parieto-occipital cortex.
Methods
Sixteen healthy adults participated in a six-week study using advanced brain imaging techniques. Participants took either 500 mg or 2000 mg of Cognizin® Citicoline daily. Researchers used high-resolution phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) at 4 Tesla to measure metabolite levels in two brain regions: the anterior cingulate cortex and the parieto-occipital cortex.
Results
After six weeks of Cognizin® Citicoline supplementation, participants showed significant increases in brain energy metabolism and membrane synthesis, localized to the anterior cingulate cortex. Specifically:
- Beta-nucleoside triphosphates (β-NTP): increased 14 percent, indicating higher levels of ATP, the brain’s primary energy source
- Phosphocreatine (PCr): increased 7 percent, supporting the brain’s energy buffering system
- Phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate ratio: increased 32 percent, further reflecting enhanced energy metabolism
- Membrane phospholipid levels: changed significantly, indicating a 26 percent increase in the synthesis and turnover of brain cell membranes
These effects were not observed in the parieto-occipital region, underscoring the regional specificity of citicoline’s action.
Conclusion
These findings demonstrate that Cognizin® Citicoline supplementation improves frontal lobe bioenergetics and alters phospholipid membrane turnover. In the anterior cingulate cortex, ATP levels increased by 14% and membrane phospholipid formation increased by 26%. By increasing cellular energy metabolism and supporting the synthesis of membrane components, citicoline may help mitigate cognitive declines associated with aging.
