Building a Legacy in Brain Health:
Cognizin^® Citicoline

by Elyse Lovett, Editor

If you peeked daily at our favorite B2B educational platform, it would be nearly impossible to miss the buzz around Kyowa Hakko’s iconic ingredient, Cognizin® Citicoline. Whether it is a new product launch, cutting-edge research, or an engaging podcast or e-book, Cognizin continues to capture our attention – not even just ours, the world’s. For me, this is not just a passing trend – its personal. Over a decade ago, as part of the Kyowa team, I had the opportunity to market Cognizin – now one of the most-recognized brain health ingredients on the market, and I have the privilege of telling its story. So, why – why has Cognizin become such a powerhouse in the dietary supplement and functional food and beverage industries? This article takes us through the Cognizin journey and the factors that have solidified its status in the market. 

Cognizin is a clinically studied branded form of citicoline, a naturally occurring compound that plays a role in brain health and cognitive function. Citicoline, also known as cytidine diphosphate-choline, is found in every cell of the body and is important for cellular energy – aka- mental energy, focus, attention, concentration, and memory.  

Chapter 1: In a time when the industry was – “figuring things out”

Thirty years ago, the landscape for ingredients was very different from what it is today. Manufacturers were focused on basic simple health outcomes such as cardiovascular benefits and vitamin deficiencies. There were no “targeted” health benefits or personalized nutrition products that were readily available on the market. In addition, clinical trials on branded ingredients were few and far between in an academic setting – often small scale with limited industry involvement. The regulatory landscape for supplement ingredients was underdeveloped where the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was only enacted in 1994. At the same time when the market was “figuring things out,” Kyowa Hakko began the commercialized production of Citicoline in 1993. Citicoline previously was recognized for its therapeutic application in clinical settings was now accessible as an ingredient for use in dietary supplements.

At a time when branded ingredients where still emerging, Kyowa secured the brand name Cognizin in 2003. This strategic decision signified Kyowa’s foresight in recognizing the importance of creating not just an ingredient but a trusted identify. The name Cognizin did not just resonate as an ingredient – it shaped itself into the company’s commitment to innovation, science, quality, and eventually the most important of all – consumer trust. Just one year later in 2004 after Kyowa secured the name, Cognizin obtained its first award- NutraAward for best innovative ingredient at Nutracon, paving the way for many recognitions to come. 

Over the next 20 years, the brand developed from a clinical compound to a household name in the brain health category.

Chapter 2: The Energy Cognizin Needed

A pivotal part in the Cognizin story is in the research that has been performed on the ingredient over the past 20 years. One of its very first studies, published in 2008, utilizing magnetic resonance spectroscopy examined the effects of citicoline on brain metabolism. Healthy adults administered 500mg or 2000mg of Cognizin daily for 6-weeks exhibited increased brain energy (ATP) levels by 14% and accelerated formation of brain membranes by 26%, specifically in the anterior cingulate cortex. Brain energy is an important factor for maintaining cognitive function, mental clarity, and focus. Cognizin’s ability to elevate ATP in the brain was the start of Cognizin’s journey in setting it apart from other ingredients in the marketplace offering manufacturers a premium ingredient with science-backed benefits. The findings indicated that Cognizin supplementation can support neuronal membrane synthesis and laid a strong groundwork for studies to come. 

Chapter 3: Safety-First 

Achieving Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for a branded ingredient involves a comprehensive third-party evaluation who assess the safety of the ingredient based on scientific procedures and available data. Achieving GRAS in the United States is like the ultimate thumbs-up from mom that says – “go ahead, you are safe to enjoy.” It serves as the regulatory gold standard for ingredients to be incorporated into food and beverage products.” In 2009, Cognizin received self-GRAS status allowing it to be safely used in food and beverage applications, including dietary supplements. Having GRAS status, eliminated barriers for manufacturers and opened the possibility for innovation. For customers, it reassured a promise that the product meets strict safety standards in the market. 

Cognizin’s second award followed its self-GRAS status – the North American Cognitive Health Ingredients Product Differentiation Excellence of the Year award from Frost and Sullivan. 

Chapter 4: Get Focused

As the dietary supplement industry was evolving in the mid 2010s, so was Cognizin. Additional clinically studies focused on the benefits of Cognizin for brain health were hitting the market and product developers were genuinely excited. The industry hit a point of “where is the science” and “show me the efficacy.” Kyowa was there to deliver. In 2012 Kyowa published a gold standard study that involved 60 healthy females between the ages of 40 and 60 years. Over a 28-day period, participants were randomly assigned to receive either 250mg or 500mg of Cognizin daily or placebo. The study utilized the Continuous Performance Test II to assess attention. The results showed that both doses of Cognizin led to significant improvements in attentional performance compared to the placebo group. Specifically, the Cognizin group had fewer commission errors, indicating enhanced focus. 

But Kyowa did not stop there. In 2015,  Kyowa published yet another gold-standard study to study the effects of Cognizin on motor speed and attention – this time in healthy-adolescent males. Seventy-five healthy adults’ males ages 13-18 years were supplemented with either 250mg or 500mg of Cognizin or placebo over 28-days. Participants completed the Ruff 2&7 Selective Attention Test, Finger Tap Test, and the Computerized Performance Test at baseline and after the supplementation period. 

During the same time of the two studies the awards and approvals kept coming. In 2013 Citicoline was approved as a Novel Food Ingredient by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Cognizin in combination with L-Citrulline obtained US Patent for Agency preventing or improving decline in brain function. In 2015 Cognizin achieved Novel Food Status in Europe, and it obtained a US Patent for Administration of citicoline to improve cognitive performance, attentional performance, and motor function. These approvals and patents highlighted Cognizin credibility and innovation in the ingredient market and its achievements solidified its status as a trusted ingredient committed to advancing cognitive health solutions to consumers. 

Chapter 5: The Last 5 Years

Cognizin boomed in 2020 with legacy and new brands including Cognizin into their formulations. Cognizin was available just about everywhere – e-commerce, mass market, specialty stores, and even at the local supermarket.  Cognizin’s availability to consumers went from pill and capsule formations to any delivery form a consumer desired – bars, beverages, stick packs, gels, powders, gummies, and so much more. The boom in products did not stop Kyowa from continuing their commitment to science and research on Cognizin.  

In 2021 Kyowa published yet another gold-standard study which investigated Cognizin on memory function in healthy older adults experiencing age-associated memory impact. One-hundred healthy individuals aged 50-85 years were supplemented with 500mg of Cognizin or placebo for 12-weeks. Memory function was evaluated at baseline and after 12-weeks using a computerized test through Cambridge Brain Sciences. The results showed that participants receiving Cognizin showed significantly greater improvements in episodic memory compared to the placebo group. In addition, the Cognizin group demonstrated a more substantial enhancement in composite memory score calculated from four different memory tests than the placebo group.  

In addition to the science the awards kept coming. In 2022 Cognizin won the prestigious NutraIngredient Award in Europe and in 2024 received the Whole Foods Natural Choice Award for Cognitive Health

The Final Chapter: The Crown Jewel of Brain Health Ingredients

With its humble beginning in the early 90’s Cognizin was not just another ingredient – it became THE ingredient that put brain health on the map. What makes Cognizin truly iconic is not just its achievement -it is the legacy it has built. It is the story of staying ahead of the curve, meeting evolving consumer demands, and providing the science and innovation that is key to long term success for both ingredient suppliers and manufacturers. Kyowa did not just provide one efficacy study it went above and beyond to provide us with the science we need to formulate and deliver – to a wide variety of demographics. Today, Cognizin is everywhere – it is trusted, it is innovative, it is the gold standard in brain health, it is not just part of the conversation – it is LEADING it.