Citicoline is a brain chemical that occurs naturally in the body. It's in dietary supplements in the US, but was originally a prescription drug in Japan.

Citicoline seems to increase a brain chemical called phosphatidylcholine. Citicoline might also increase the amounts of other chemicals that send messages in the brain. It was originally used as a drug to help improve memory and brain function after a stroke.

People use citicoline for age-related decline in memory and thinking, glaucoma, stroke, Alzheimer disease, bipolar disorder, depression, and many other conditions.