Alpha-GPC (alpha-glycerophosphocholine or choline alphoscerate) is a choline-containing phospholipid. When ingested, alpha-GPC is metabolized into choline and glycerol-1-phosphate. Choline is a precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention, and skeletal muscle contraction. Glycerol-1-phosphate is used to support cellular membranes.[1]
Alpha-GPC appears to easily cross the blood-brain barrier and is rapidly absorbed. It is currently the best cholinergic for increasing plasma and brain choline levels.[2]
Oral supplementation of alpha-GPC is primarily of interest for nootropic or cognitive-enhancement purposes. There are a number of rodent studies that support this effect, but it has yet to be shown in otherwise healthy humans. In older adults with mild to moderate dementia — which involves disrupted cholinergic neurotransmission — alpha-GPC improves cognitive symptoms (e.g., memory and attention impairment).[3][1] Alpha-GPC may also improve the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (i.e., drugs that increase acetylcholine availability by slowing down its breakdown), which are used for treating Alzheimer’s disease.[3]
Athletes are another population that may benefit from alpha-GPC supplementation. Preliminary evidence suggests that alpha-GPC increases vertical jump power.[4][5] Additionally, a pilot study reported that alpha-GPC increased peak bench press force, but not peak power or rate of force development.[6] Whether alpha-GPC increases isometric strength is currently unclear.[5][7]
Mechanistic evidence suggests that alpha-GPC exerts its effects by increasing the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in the brain, where it is involved in memory, motivation, arousal, and attention.[12][13][14][15]
Acetylcholine is also responsible for the action potential that stimulates muscles to contract. Therefore, it’s theorized that increased acetylcholine levels lead to a stronger signal for muscle contraction and, consequently, increased force production.
1.^Enea Traini, Vincenzo Bramanti, Francesco AmentaCholine alphoscerate (alpha-glyceryl-phosphoryl-choline) an old choline- containing phospholipid with a still interesting profile as cognition enhancing agentCurr Alzheimer Res.(2013 Dec)
2.^G Gatti, N Barzaghi, G Acuto, G Abbiati, T Fossati, E PeruccaA comparative study of free plasma choline levels following intramuscular administration of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine and citicoline in normal volunteersInt J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol.(1992 Sep)
3.^De Jesus Moreno Moreno MCognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialClin Ther.(2003 Jan)
4.^Parker A, Byars A, Purpura M, Jager RThe effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agilityJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2015 Sep)
5.^Lena Marcus, Jason Soileau, Lawrence W Judge, David BellarEvaluation of the effects of two doses of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on physical and psychomotor performanceJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2017 Oct 5)
6.^Ziegenfuss T, Landis J, Hofheins JJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.()
7.^David Bellar, Nina R LeBlanc, Brian CampbellThe effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strengthJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2015 Nov 17)
8.^Amy M Brownawell, Edward L Carmines, Federica MontesanoSafety assessment of AGPC as a food ingredientFood Chem Toxicol.(2011 Jun)
9.^Yongzhong Zhao, Zeneng WangImpact of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) metaorganismal pathway on cardiovascular diseaseJ Lab Precis Med.(2020 Apr)
10.^Gyeongsil Lee, Seulggie Choi, Jooyoung Chang, Daein Choi, Joung Sik Son, Kyuwoong Kim, Sung Min Kim, Seogsong Jeong, Sang Min ParkAssociation of L-a Glycerylphosphorylcholine With Subsequent Stroke Risk After 10 YearsJAMA Netw Open.(2021 Nov 1)
11.^Zeneng Wang, Jennie Hazen, Xun Jia, Elin Org, Yongzhong Zhao, Lucas J Osborn, Nisreen Nimer, Jennifer Buffa, Miranda K Culley, Daniel Krajcik, Bert-Jan H van den Born, Koos Zwinderman, Bruce S Levison, Max Nieuwdorp, Aldons J Lusis, Joseph A DiDonato, Stanley L HazenThe Nutritional Supplement L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine Promotes AtherosclerosisInt J Mol Sci.(2021 Dec 15)
12.^Seyed Khosrow Tayebati, Daniele Tomassoni, Antonio Di Stefano, Piera Sozio, Laura Serafina Cerasa, Francesco AmentaEffect of choline-containing phospholipids on brain cholinergic transporters in the ratJ Neurol Sci.(2011 Mar 15)
13.^Francesco Amenta, Seyed Khosrow Tayebati, Daniela Vitali, Maria Antonietta Di TullioAssociation with the cholinergic precursor choline alphoscerate and the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine: an approach for enhancing cholinergic neurotransmissionMech Ageing Dev.(2006 Feb)
14.^M Trabucchi, S Govoni, F BattainiChanges in the interaction between CNS cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons induced by L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, a cholinomimetic drugFarmaco Sci.(1986 Apr)
15.^C M Lopez, S Govoni, F Battaini, S Bergamaschi, A Longoni, C Giaroni, M TrabucchiEffect of a new cognition enhancer, alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, on scopolamine-induced amnesia and brain acetylcholinePharmacol Biochem Behav.(1991 Aug)
