Use of Citicoline in Aging Process and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Current Clinical Evidence
Use of Citicoline in Aging Process and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Current Clinical Evidence

Summary/Abstract: Citicoline (CDP-choline) has long been studied as a potential agent for the treatment of cognitive disorders due to its role in cell membrane phospholipid synthesis, its neurotransmitter-modulating effects, and its neuroprotective properties. Conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review aims to evaluate the current clinical evidence regarding the use of citicoline in older adults and those with cognitive impairment. The literature search was limited to studies published between 2010 and 2025 in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Randomized controlled trials involving human participants, as well as prospective and retrospective observational studies, were included in the review. Of the 58 articles whose full texts were evaluated for eligibility, 16 studies that met the final inclusion criteria were included in the systematic review. In several studies, citicoline was associated with measurable changes in cognitive domains such as memory, attention, and executive function. These effects were particularly evident in mild cognitive impairment and vascular cognitive impairment. The results lack consistency across studies, and there is significant heterogeneity in terms of sample size, follow-up duration, and methodological quality. While current evidence suggests that citicoline may be considered a potential supportive agent for age-related cognitive decline and early-stage cognitive impairment, larger-scale, double-blind, and methodologically robust randomized controlled trials are needed to draw definitive conclusions regarding its efficacy.

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