Vascular Dementia or Senile Dementia (mild to moderate). Seven of the included studies
observed the subjects for a period between 20 to 30 days, one study was of 6 weeks
duration, four studies used periods extending over 2 and 3 months, one study observed
continuous administration over 3 months and one study was prolonged, with 12 months
of observation. The studies were heterogeneous in dose, modalities of administration,
inclusion criteria for subjects and outcome measures. Results were reported for the
domains of attention, memory testing, behavioral rating scales, global clinical
impression and tolerability.
The Cochrane Stroke Review Group further concluded that there was no evidence of a
beneficial effect of CDP Choline on attention. There was evidence of benefit of CDP
Choline on memory function and behavior.
A well-designed nine-month 2013 Italian study of 349 subjects validated the use of
CDP Choline for treatment of mild vascular dementia.^4 Alzheimer’s dementia was
excluded from the study. The main outcomes were an improvement in Mini-Mental
State Examination, Activities of Daily Living, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
scores in the study group compared with the control group. The study group was
administered oral CDP Choline 50 0 mg twice a day throughout the study.
- Thus, Brown and Gerbarg recommend, "more long-term studies, particularly for vascular
cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, and age-related memory decline.”^5
- DRUG INTERACTIONS: Not covered by the Natural Standard. None noted by others.
- SIDE EFFECTS: The Cochrane Stroke Review Group concluded that the drug was well
tolerated. Brown et al. assert that CDP choline is “quite safe and causes virtually no side-
effects.”
1
Alvarez, X.A., Mouzo, R., Pichel, V., Pérez, P., Laredo, M., Fernández-Novoa, L., Corzo, L., Zas, R., Alcaraz,
M., Secades, J.J., Lozano, R. & Cacabelos, R., “Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study with Citicoline in APOE
Genotyped Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Effects on Cognitive Performance, Brain Bioelectrical Activity and
Cerebral Perfusion,” Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 21(9):633-44 (1999).
