Hydrolysed in the gut to cytidine + choline — both absorbed and each crosses BBB (cytidine converts to uridine in circulation). Reassembled intracellularly to CDP-choline, the rate-limiting substrate in the Kennedy pathway for phosphatidylcholine synthesis. Raises brain acetylcholine, dopamine, and noradrenaline levels. Largest clinical use: post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation (evidence mixed but more favourable than for alpha-GPC on stroke endpoints).
Half-Life (t½)
PO: 56h
Dosing Guidelines
PO: Typical 500 mg (Range: 250–1000 mg)
IV: Typical 500 mg (Range: 250–1000 mg)
Target Organ Systems
nervous
Interactions
Alpha-GPC (synergistic): Both deliver choline + membrane precursors; generally pick one.
Uridine (synergistic): CDP-choline yields uridine in circulation; combined Kennedy-pathway support is stronger than either alone.
Cytidine (synergistic): CDP-choline hydrolyses to cytidine + choline in the gut; cytidine supplementation is an upstream route.