Citicoline found to improve motor speed and attention in adolescents, finds study

Published: 30-Jul-2014

Previous studies have not been carried out in healthy adolescents


Young adolescent men have experienced increased motor speed and attention after taking the dietary supplement citicoline in a new study.

The randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled human clinical trial conducted by The Brain Institute, at the University of Utah, involved 75 adolescent men over a 28-day period in which citicoline, a cognitive-enhancing nutrient, was administered.

The results were revealed at the recent annual American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology conference in Hollywood, FL, US.

The research found that the individuals who were administered citicoline showed multiple improved mental agility, which included measures of attention and motor speed.

Although citicoline has been the subject of previous trials, the nutrient has undergone limited research among healthy adolescent populations.

Lead researcher, Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Utah, said: 'The study finally sheds a light on the cognitive-enhancing effects of citicoline in healthy, adolescent individuals, which is something we at The Brain Institute have never done before.'

Furthermore, the research found that self-reported side effects of administration were not greater than for participants in the placebo-controlled group.

The 75 healthy adolescent males were divided into treatment (n=51) and placebo groups (n=24) after completing a screening visit including a medical exam and clinical measures. Individuals were then randomly assigned to a 250mg or 500mg Cognizin citicoline treatment group or placebo group. To test the group, researchers conducted the 'Finger Tap Test', a motor function assessment during which participants are required to press a lever attached to a mechanical counter as many times as possible during discrete time periods.

The 'Ruff 2 & 7 Selective Attention Test' was also administered, which tests a timed cancellation task in which participants cross out 2's and 7's embedded in blocks of distractor numbers or letters. Those who were given the citicoline scored higher in both tests after the 28-day period.

Cognizin is a branded form of citicoline manufactured by Kyowa Hakko USA. Citicoline is a natural substance found in every cell of the body and is vital to brain health. The product is broken down during intestinal absorption and, after passing through the blood/brain barrier, is reconstituted in the brain as citicoline. Among other benefits, it helps maintain normal levels of acetylcholine, a chemical that regulates memory and cognitive function.

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