[reverett123]

1: Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1995 Oct;17 Suppl B:1-54.

CDP-choline: pharmacological and clinical review.

Secades JJ, Frontera G.

F.I.S.A. Medical Department, Barcelona.

Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, CDP-choline or citicoline, is an essential
intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of the structural phospholipids of cell
membranes, especially in that of phosphatidylcholine. Upon oral or parenteral
administration, CDP-choline releases its two principle components, cytidine and
choline. When administered orally, it is absorbed almost completely, and its
bioavailability is approximately the same as when administered intravenously.
Once absorbed, the cytidine and choline disperse widely throughout the organism,
cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the central nervous system (CNS), where
they are incorporated into the phospholipid fraction of the membrane and
microsomes. CDP-choline activates the biosynthesis of structural phospholipids in
the neuronal membranes, increases cerebral metabolism and acts on the levels of
various neurotransmitters. Thus, it has been experimentally proven that
CDP-choline increases noradrenaline and dopamine levels in the CNS. Due to these
pharmacological activities, CDP-choline has a neuroprotective effect in
situations of hypoxia and ischemia, as well as improved learning and memory
performance in animal models of brain aging. Furthermore, it has been
demonstrated that CDP-choline restores the activity of mitochondrial ATPase and
of membranal Na+/K+ ATPase, inhibits the activation of phospholipase A2 and
accelerates the reabsorption of cerebral edema in various experimental models.
CDP-choline is a safe drug, as toxicological tests have shown; it has no serious
effects on the cholinergic system and it is perfectly tolerated. These
pharmacological characteristics, combined with CDP-choline's mechanisms of
action, suggest that this drug may be suitable for the treatment of cerebral
vascular disease, head trauma of varying severity and cognitive disorders of
diverse etiology. In studies carried out on the treatment of patients with head
trauma, CDP-choline accelerated the recovery from post-traumatic coma and the
recuperation of walking ability, achieved a better final functional result and
reduced the hospital stay of these patients, in addition to improving the
cognitive and memory disturbances which are observed after a head trauma of
lesser severity and which constitute the disorder known as postconcussion
syndrome. In the treatment of patients with acute cerebral vascular disease of
the ischemic type, CDP-choline accelerated the recovery of consciousness and
motor deficit, attaining a better final result and facilitating the
rehabilitation of these patients. The other important use for CDP-choline is in
the treatment of senile cognitive impairment, which is secondary to degenerative
diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) and to chronic cerebral vascular disease. In
patients with chronic cerebral ischemia, CDP-choline improves scores on cognitive
evaluation scales, while in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's
type, it slows the disease's evolution. Beneficial neuroendocrine,
neuroimmunomodulatory and neurophysiological effects have been described.
CDP-choline has also been shown to be effective as co-therapy for Parkinson's
disease. No serious side effects have been found in any of the groups of patients
treated with CDP-choline, which demonstrates the safety of the treatment.


PMID: 8709678 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[lurkingforacure]

Thanks for the info! But I notice it's not on the list of supplements you currently take, why not? Have you tried it before, and if so, with what result(s)? Also, do you happen to know recommended/suggested dose and brands for citicholine? We may want to consider adding this into the mix!

Originally Posted by reverett123

1: Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1995 Oct;17 Suppl B:1-54.

CDP-choline: pharmacological and clinical review.

Secades JJ, Frontera G.

F.I.S.A. Medical Department, Barcelona.

Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, CDP-choline or citicoline, is an essential
intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of the structural phospholipids of cell
membranes, especially in that of phosphatidylcholine. Upon oral or parenteral
administration, CDP-choline releases its two principle components, cytidine and
choline. When administered orally, it is absorbed almost completely, and its
bioavailability is approximately the same as when administered intravenously.
Once absorbed, the cytidine and choline disperse widely throughout the organism,
cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the central nervous system (CNS), where
they are incorporated into the phospholipid fraction of the membrane and
microsomes. CDP-choline activates the biosynthesis of structural phospholipids in
the neuronal membranes, increases cerebral metabolism and acts on the levels of
various neurotransmitters. Thus, it has been experimentally proven that
CDP-choline increases noradrenaline and dopamine levels in the CNS. Due to these
pharmacological activities, CDP-choline has a neuroprotective effect in
situations of hypoxia and ischemia, as well as improved learning and memory
performance in animal models of brain aging. Furthermore, it has been
demonstrated that CDP-choline restores the activity of mitochondrial ATPase and
of membranal Na+/K+ ATPase, inhibits the activation of phospholipase A2 and
accelerates the reabsorption of cerebral edema in various experimental models.
CDP-choline is a safe drug, as toxicological tests have shown; it has no serious
effects on the cholinergic system and it is perfectly tolerated. These
pharmacological characteristics, combined with CDP-choline's mechanisms of
action, suggest that this drug may be suitable for the treatment of cerebral
vascular disease, head trauma of varying severity and cognitive disorders of
diverse etiology. In studies carried out on the treatment of patients with head
trauma, CDP-choline accelerated the recovery from post-traumatic coma and the
recuperation of walking ability, achieved a better final functional result and
reduced the hospital stay of these patients, in addition to improving the
cognitive and memory disturbances which are observed after a head trauma of
lesser severity and which constitute the disorder known as postconcussion
syndrome. In the treatment of patients with acute cerebral vascular disease of
the ischemic type, CDP-choline accelerated the recovery of consciousness and
motor deficit, attaining a better final result and facilitating the
rehabilitation of these patients. The other important use for CDP-choline is in
the treatment of senile cognitive impairment, which is secondary to degenerative
diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) and to chronic cerebral vascular disease. In
patients with chronic cerebral ischemia, CDP-choline improves scores on cognitive
evaluation scales, while in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's
type, it slows the disease's evolution. Beneficial neuroendocrine,
neuroimmunomodulatory and neurophysiological effects have been described.
CDP-choline has also been shown to be effective as co-therapy for Parkinson's
disease. No serious side effects have been found in any of the groups of patients
treated with CDP-choline, which demonstrates the safety of the treatment.


PMID: 8709678 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[reverett123]

I fear that my signature line struggles to keep up with me. I do use CDP Choline much of the time but right now I am adjusting the mucuna and am not taking about half those listed. But I plan to be back on most in a couple of weeks.

This was such a compact summary on a supplement that has been a regular around here that I thought it might be of interest.

[Ronhutton]

Hi Lurking for a cure, and Hi Rick,
I have been taking CDP choline for about 5 years now. I buy it from iHerb, and take one 250mg tablet per day. Difficult to say whether it has slowed my PD, since I take curcumin etc also. Something I take is working since I have had PD for over 16 years now. Another name for CDP choline is citicoline, it is given to stroke patients, and aids brain metabolism.
Ron

[Concussed Scientist]

Has anyone had any side-effects from taking citicoline (CDP-choline)?
I have been taking one 250mg pill daily for a month for post-concussion syndrome, and I have if anything noticed the symptoms getting worse. This may be coincidence. I have a neurological pulsation in the brain and upper spine, headaches and dizziness. It feels as if the citicoline might be stimulating things too much and what people with my condition need might be to have neural activity reduced.

What effects have others noticed for what conditions?
Perhap, like most drugs, there will be beneficial effects on some conditions but not on others.

CS

[paula_w]

This supplement is enhancing your neurotransmitter acetycholine , which is lacking in alzheimers, Lewey Body Dementia and possibly lacking in late stage pd in some patients. But if you are not lacking acetycholine, i would advise you to not take this supplement, Acetycholine, in excess, is toxic; it's an excitatory drug, used in chemical weaponry and can paralyze your heart. It's important to balance acetylcholine with dopamine and other neurotransmitters. It is not a given that pwp need any extra acetylcholine.


paula

if you are taking an anticholinergic drug such as cogentin or artane, with acetycholine, you are taking two opposing, opposite working drugs.

Originally Posted by Concussed Scientist

Has anyone had any side-effects from taking citicoline (CDP-choline)?
I have been taking one 250mg pill daily for a month for post-concussion syndrome, and I have if anything noticed the symptoms getting worse. This may be coincidence. I have a neurological pulsation in the brain and upper spine, headaches and dizziness. It feels as if the citicoline might be stimulating things too much and what people with my condition need might be to have neural activity reduced.

What effects have others noticed for what conditions?
Perhap, like most drugs, there will be beneficial effects on some conditions but not on others.

CS

[reverett123]

Paula- For the life of me, I can't find anything like that. Could you be mixing it up with another compound?

Here is an overview-

1. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Sep;28 Suppl B:1-56.

Citicoline: pharmacological and clinical review, 2006 update.

Secades JJ, Lorenzo JL.

Medical Department, Grupo Ferrer S.A., Barcelona, Spain.

Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, CDP-choline, or citicoline is an essential
intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of structural phospholipids in cell
membranes, particularly phosphatidylcholine. Following administration by both the
oral and parenteral routes, citicoline releases its two main components, cytidine
and choline. Absorption by the oral route is virtually complete, and
bioavailability by the oral route is therefore approximately the same as by the
intravenous route. Once absorbed, citicoline is widely distributed throughout the
body, crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the central nervous system
(CNS), where it is incorporated into the membrane and microsomal phospholipid
fraction. Citicoline activates biosynthesis of structural phospholipids of
neuronal membranes, increases brain metabolism, and acts upon the levels of
different neurotransmitters. Thus, citicoline has been experimentally shown to
increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the CNS. Owing to these
pharmacological mechanisms, citicoline has a neuroprotective effect in hypoxic
and ischemic conditions, decreasing the volume of ischemic lesion, and also
improves learning and memory performance in animal models of brain aging. In
addition, citicoline has been shown to restore the activity of mitochondrial
ATPase and membrane Na+/K+ATPase, to inhibit activation of certain
phospholipases, and to accelerate reabsorption of cerebral edema in various
experimental models. Citicoline has also been shown to be able to inhibit
mechanisms of apoptosis associated to cerebral ischemia and in certain
neurodegeneration models, and to potentiate neuroplasticity mechanisms.
Citicoline is a safe drug, as shown by the toxicological tests conducted, that
has no significant systemic cholinergic effects and is a well tolerated product.
These pharmacological characteristics and the action mechanisms of citicoline
suggest that this product may be indicated for treatment of cerebral vascular
disease, head trauma (HT) of varying severity, and cognitive disorders of
different causes. In studies conducted in the treatment of patients with HT,
citicoline was able to accelerate recovery from post-traumatic coma and
neurological deficits, achieving an improved final functional outcome, and to
shorten hospital stay in these patients. Citicoline also improved the mnesic and
cognitive disorders seen after HT of minor severity that constitute the so-called
post-concussional syndrome. In the treatment of patients with acute ischemic
cerebral vascular disease, citicoline accelerates recovery of consciousness and
motor deficit, achieves a better final outcome, and facilitates rehabilitation of
these patients. The other major indication of citicoline is for treatment of
senile cognitive impairment, either secondary to degenerative diseases (e.g.
Alzheimer disease) or to chronic cerebral vascular disease. In patients with
chronic cerebral ischemia, citicoline improves scores in cognitive rating scales,
while in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type it stops the course
of disease, and neuroendocrine, neuroimmunomodulatory, and neurophysiological
benefits have been reported. Citicoline has also been shown to be effective in
Parkinson disease, drug addictions, and alcoholism, as well as in amblyopia and
glaucoma. No serious side effects have occurred in any series of patients treated
with citicoline, which attests to the safety of treatment with citicoline.

[paula_w]

here's one:
Stabilized CDP-Choline (cytidine 5'diphosphocholine) is a naturally occurring, water soluble biological compound that is an essential intermediate for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a major constituent of the grey matter of brain tissue (30%). CDP choline is metabolized to yield the free nucleotide cytidine and choline. Scientific research demonstrates that CDP Choline consumption promotes brain metabolism by enhancing the synthesis of acetylcholine, restoring phospholipid content in the brain and regulation of neuronal membrane excitability and osmolarity (by its effect on the ATP-dependent sodium and potassium pumps).
http://www.raysahelian.com/cdp.html

paula

[Conductor71]

I was curious about the acetylcholine connection too, Paula. I have searched all over Pub Med, but I think the cholinesterase inhibitors like Aricept are quite different than CDP choline.

With drugs like Aricept, an inhibitor prevents the breakdown of Acetylcholine in our brains (key for AD patients but maybe not so key for us). We then end up with more of an imbalance between Acetylcholine and Dopamine. With CDP choline, it is more of a synthesizer, a precursor to Acetylcholine (much like levodopa is to Dopamine), so I don't see that it may result in more but rather naturally enhances production of what we already have. I looked on PubMed and the Web; it seems that Choline's primary role in neurotransmission is to stimulate receptors, much like the agonists do. The key is it works on both Dopamine and Acetylcholine transmission, so it actually may work more to keep things in balance. At least this is what I glean from the research...mind you I got a C in chemistry.

What leaps out at me are the citations in PubMed that show in animal models increases in dopamine receptor density and increases in brain synapses. This is huge! Also, I think it inhibits the inflammatory toxic whirlwind in our brains- not sure on this last one but thought Rick posted something on that one, but I could be mistaken.

I am desperately trying to get my Sinemet intake under control, and it has shown to cut down levodopa dosages by half. I will; however, proceed with caution. We do need to remember that we are playing with an already unlevel playing field of neurotransmitters, so thank you for the word of caution.

Laura

[paula_w]

rick, laura and all,

if you are not feeling negatively from taking cdp choline, i guess it could be helping . i don't believe [yet - and it has nothing to do with anyone's opinions on the forum, but rather what i have read and experienced myself] - that acetylcholine is in balance in pwp; and until we age and possibly do begin to lose acetlycholine, we have no need for more excitatory manipulations. As for reducing sinemet in half, let's see the data. i'm not stuck in any rut and am searching for truth. my thoughts on this subject are from a negative personal experience and CS said he felt like he was having side effects.

but i have no trouble with good solid facts and would not want to spread any untruths.

paula