Tayebati SK, Tomassoni D, Di Stefano A, Sozio P, Cerasa LS, Amenta F. Effect of choline-containing phospholipids on brain cholinergic transporters in the rat. J Neurol Sci [Internet]. 2011 Mar 15 [cited 2022 Sep 20];302(1–2):49–57. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21195433/
Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC, also known as choline alfoscerate, is a relatively novel nootropic. It has potential across a variety of nootropic domains including memory and physical strength. In the brain, Alpha-GPC exists naturally as a precursor to the ubiquitous neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It exerts its effects through direct stimulation of acetylcholine receptors, and also acts more localised in the frontal cortex to stimulate dopamine and serotonin receptors (1,2).
Memory
In a multicentre, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial, 180 day supplementation with 400mg Alpha-GPC lead to a significant improvement across multiple recognised clinical memory assessment scales including the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s dementia. It also positively influenced other cognitive & behavioural subscales (3).
More research is needed, in parts due to its relative novelty, to show direct memory benefits in healthy individuals.
Strength
Alpha-GPC has been shown to influence physical strength. In a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial, it led to a 14% increase in peak bench press force vs placebo (4).
Safety Evidence
Overall, Alpha-GPC is promising to be a potentially versatile supplement. It has a good safety record in humans, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US labelling it ‘generally recognised as safe’ (5).
Read More About the Science
1
2
Khosrow Tayebati S, Tomassoni D, Ejike Nwankwo I, Di Stefano A, Sozio P, Serafina Cerasa L, et al. Modulation of monoaminergic transporters by choline-containing phospholipids in rat brain. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets [Internet]. 2013 Mar 20 [cited 2022 Sep 20];12(1):94–103. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23244432/
3
Moreno Moreno MDJ. 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. Clin Ther [Internet]. 2003 Jan 1 [cited 2022 Sep 20];25(1):178–93. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12637119/
4
Ziegenfuss T, Landis J, Hofheins J. Acute supplementation with alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine augments growth hormone response to, and peak force production during, resistance exercise. J Int Soc Sport Nutr 2008 51 [Internet]. 2008 Sep 17 [cited 2022 Sep 20];5(1):1–2. Available from: https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P15
5
GRAS Notice 000419: L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine · PDF file exceed 196.2 mg/person/day, is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) based on scientific procedures. An Expert Panel - [PDF Document] [Internet]. [cited 2022 Sep 20]. Available from: https://fdocuments.net/document/gras-notice-000419-l-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine-exceed-1962-mgpersonday.html?page=1