Alpha-GPC for Cognitive Function
Most positive cognitive data comes from older European trials in dementia and stroke patients rather than healthy adults.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 400 mg three times daily (1200 mg/day) in the clinical trials; 300-600 mg/day for general use
- Expected timeframe
- 8-12 weeks in cognitive impairment; often no change in healthy adults
Protocol
- form
- Alpha-GPC capsules
- timing
- With meals, spread across the day; avoid late evening
- duration
- ASCOMALVA ran 12 months; judge a personal trial at 8-12 weeks
- titration
- Move to 400 mg three times daily only if you are mirroring the Alzheimer and vascular cognitive impairment trial protocol under medical supervision
- measurement
- A repeatable cognitive task or MMSE-style assessment at baseline and week 12
- starting dose
- 300 mg once daily with food
Evidence
What the studies say
Activity of Choline Alphoscerate on Adult-Onset Cognitive Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Sagaro GG, Traini E, Amenta F
We found significant effects of α-GPC in combination with donepezil on cognition [4 RCTs, mean difference (MD):1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20 to 3.25].
Acute Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Supplementation Enhances Cognitive Performance in Healthy Men
Kerksick CM
No significant differences between groups were found for the Flanker and N-Back assessments... No group differences were realized for visual analog scales, physical performance, or growth hormone.
Cognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
De Jesus Moreno Moreno M
Cognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate.
Evaluation of the effects of two doses of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on physical and psychomotor performance
Marcus L, Soileau J, Judge LW +1 more
Evaluation of the effects of two doses of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on physical and psychomotor performance.
Comparative study of choline alfoscerate as a combination therapy with donepezil: A mixed double-blind randomized controlled and open-label observation trial
Lee W, Kim M
Choline alfoscerate exhibits additional cognitive improvement in both cognitive and noncognitive domains, supporting the findings of the ASCOMALVA trial.
Safety
Caveats
The positive trials were in Alzheimer and vascular cognitive impairment, with weak blinding and mostly Italian single-region methodology. Trials in healthy young adults have not shown consistent cognitive gains. Ceiling of 1200 mg/day. An observational signal linking high intake to stroke risk means caution in established cardiovascular disease. Avoid in pregnancy.
Less likely to help if
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