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Citicoline affects appetite and cortico‐limbic responses to images of high‐calorie foods
Author(s) -
Killgore William D.S.,
Ross Amy J.,
Kamiya Toshikazu,
Kawada Yoko,
Renshaw Perry F.,
YurgelunTodd Deborah A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20658
Subject(s) - appetite , citicoline , orbitofrontal cortex , amygdala , psychology , neuroscience , insula , medicine , audiology , cognition , prefrontal cortex , anesthesia
Objective: Cytidine‐5′‐diphosphocholine (citicoline) has a variety of cognitive enhancing, neuroprotective, and neuroregenerative properties. In cocaine‐addicted individuals, citicoline has been shown to increase brain dopamine levels and reduce cravings. The effects of this compound on appetite, food cravings, and brain responses to food are unknown. Method: We compared the effects of treatment with Cognizin® citicoline (500 mg/day versus 2,000 mg/day) for 6 weeks on changes in appetite ratings, weight, and cortico‐limbic responses to images of high‐calorie foods using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: After 6 weeks, there was no significant change in weight status, although significant declines in appetite ratings were observed for the 2,000 mg/day group. The higher dose group also showed significant increases in functional brain responses to food stimuli within the amygdala, insula, and lateral orbitofrontal cortex. Increased activation in these regions correlated with declines in appetite ratings. Discussion: These preliminary findings suggest a potential usefulness of citicoline in modulating appetite, but further research is warranted. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010