Cognizin® Citicoline Improves Attention in Healthy Adults: Clinical Study Findings
A 12-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the effects of Cognizin® Citicoline on attention related cognitive performance in healthy adult men and women with poor sustained attention.
Authors
Eri Nakazaki, Traci M. Blonquist, Kristen Taggart, and Eunice Mah
Institution
Kirin Holdings Company Limited, Japan; Biofortis Inc., Addison, Illinois, USA
Source
Presented at the 5th Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain; June 6–7, 2025; Chania, Greece.
Abstract
Rationale
Citicoline, also known as CDP choline, is a naturally occurring mononucleotide involved in phospholipid metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis. While citicoline supplementation has demonstrated cognitive benefits in populations with various impairments, fewer studies have examined its effects on attention in healthy adults experiencing attention related challenges.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate whether daily supplementation with Cognizin citicoline would improve sustained attention and related cognitive performance measures in healthy men and women with poor attention.
Methods
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted involving 148 healthy men and women between 35 and 75 years of age with poor sustained attention. Participants were assigned to receive either Cognizin (500 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention using the Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS), which measures attention, reaction time, and information processing speed. Safety assessments included monitoring adverse events and hematology and clinical chemistry parameters.
Results
Per protocol analysis included 127 participants who met predefined study criteria. After 12 weeks of supplementation, participants receiving Cognizin citicoline demonstrated statistically significant improvements compared with placebo in:
- Sustained attention reaction time
- Rapid visual information processing reaction time
- Composite scores related to mental energy reaction time
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 safety markers remained stable throughout the study period.
Conclusions
Regular supplementation with Cognizin citicoline was safe and well-tolerated and supported improvements in sustained attention, mental energy, reaction time, and information processing speed in healthy adult men and women with poor attention. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting Cognizin for attention related cognitive performance in healthy populations.
