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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.044.496 |
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| Formula | C8H20NO6P |
| Molar mass | 257.223 g·mol−1 |
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L-α-Glycerophosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC,choline alfoscerate,sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a naturalcholine compound found in the brain. It is also aparasympathomimeticacetylcholine precursor[1] which has been investigated for its potential for the treatment ofAlzheimer's disease[2] and otherdementias.[3]
Alpha-GPC rapidly deliverscholine to the brain across theblood–brain barrier and is a biosynthetic precursor ofacetylcholine.[2] It is a non-prescription drug in most countries. TheFDA determined that intake of no more than 196.2 mg/person/day is consideredgenerally recognized as safe (GRAS).[4]
Industrially, alpha-GPC is produced by the chemical or enzymatic deacylation ofphosphatidylcholine enriched soyaphospholipids followed bychromatographic purification. Alpha-GPC may also be derived in small amounts from highly purified soylecithin as well as from purified sunflower lecithin.[5][6]
Aretrospective cohort study involving 12 million participants inSouth Korea found that α-GPC users had a higher risk of stroke ( + 46 % ). The authors suggested that one possible explanation is thatdysbiosis may lead to α-GPC being metabolized intotrimethylamine (TMA) in the gastrointestinal tract, and then totrimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the liver, which has implications for cardiovascular health. However, they also noted that the study could be influenced byconfounding variables, as α-GPC is often prescribed to individuals with preexisting health risks.[7]
A latersystematic review andmeta-analysis criticized the statistical analysis of the South Korean cohort study, describing it as questionable and imprecise. The review concluded that α-GPC has a favorable safety and tolerability profile and is effective in improving cognitive function and daily living in patients withdementia disorders of neurological origin, adult-onsetvascular dementia, andAlzheimer’s disease.[8]