Citicoline (CDP-choline): mechanisms of action and effects in ischemic brain injury.
D'Orlando KJ,
Sandage BW Jr.
Interneuron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Lexington, MA 02173.
Neurol Res 1995 Aug;17(4):281-4
Abstract
CDP-choline is approved in Europe and Japan for use in stroke, head trauma and other neurological disorders. It is presently being evaluated in phase II/III stroke trials in the United States. Exogenous administration of CDP-choline provides both choline and cytidine which access the brain and serve as substrates for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a primary neuronal membrane component; the choline also enhances brain acetylcholine synthesis. Membrane repair and regeneration is necessary for recovery from stroke. Furthermore, CDP-choline may alleviate free fatty acid-induced toxicity, which accompanies ischemic insult. Data from many pre-clinical and clinical trials support the hypothesis that citicoline may be a safe and effective treatment for stroke.
