Alpha-GPC
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Alpha-GPC (Alpha-glycerophosphocholine) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,680 participants, researched for Cognitive Enhancement, Athletic Performance, Mood & Mental Wellbeing.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cognitive Enhancement
StrongAthletic Performance
StrongMood & Mental Wellbeing
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cognitive Enhancement
To assess Alpha-GPC effects on cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Alpha-GPC effects on cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients
Dose
1200 mg/day
Participants
261 Alzheimer's patients
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant improvement in ADAS-cog scores vs placebo (p<0.001). MMSE scores also improved significantly.
How They Measured It
ADAS-cog, MMSE
To evaluate Alpha-GPC efficacy in vascular dementia
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Alpha-GPC efficacy in vascular dementia
Dose
1200 mg/day
Participants
120 patients with vascular dementia
Duration
6 months
Results
Significantly better MMSE scores vs placebo (p=0.01). CGI-C improvement rates higher. Tolerability was good.
How They Measured It
MMSE, ADAS-cog, CGI-C
To review clinical evidence for Alpha-GPC in cognitive disorders
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review clinical evidence for Alpha-GPC in cognitive disorders
Dose
800-1200 mg/day
Participants
Meta-analysis of 13 trials (1,570+ patients)
Duration
3-6 months
Results
Consistent evidence that Alpha-GPC improves cognitive function in dementia and MCI. MMSE improvements averaged 2.4 points.
How They Measured It
MMSE, ADAS-cog across 13 trials
To evaluate Alpha-GPC in cognitive recovery following acute stroke
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Alpha-GPC in cognitive recovery following acute stroke
Dose
1200 mg/day (1000 mg IV initially)
Participants
272 stroke patients
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant improvement in Orgogozo Scale scores (p<0.05). Barthel Index favored Alpha-GPC. Neuroprotective effects post-stroke demonstrated.
How They Measured It
Cognitive function scales, Barthel Index, Orgogozo Scale
To evaluate Alpha-GPC added to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor therapy in Alzheimer's
Study Type
Open-label clinical trial
Purpose
To evaluate Alpha-GPC added to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor therapy in Alzheimer's
Dose
1200 mg/day plus donepezil
Participants
89 Alzheimer's patients on donepezil
Duration
6 months
Results
Greater cognitive improvements vs donepezil alone. MMSE improved 3.1 points vs 0.8 in donepezil-only group (p=0.02).
How They Measured It
MMSE, ADAS-cog, NPI
To evaluate Alpha-GPC in age-associated memory impairment
Study Type
Randomised, controlled, crossover
Purpose
To evaluate Alpha-GPC in age-associated memory impairment
Dose
1200 mg/day
Participants
61 adults with age-associated memory impairment
Duration
3 months
Results
Significant improvement in Selective Reminding Test (p<0.05). Verbal memory, immediate and delayed recall improved vs placebo phase.
How They Measured It
Selective Reminding Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning, MMSE
Athletic Performance
To investigate Alpha-GPC effects on growth hormone and power output in athletes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover
Purpose
To investigate Alpha-GPC effects on growth hormone and power output in athletes
Dose
600 mg Alpha-GPC 90 min pre-exercise
Participants
14 resistance-trained men
Duration
2 weeks crossover
Results
Alpha-GPC significantly increased peak power output by 14% (p=0.02) and growth hormone secretion by 44-fold vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Peak power output, serum growth hormone, serum choline
To assess Alpha-GPC on upper body force production in resistance-trained men
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Alpha-GPC on upper body force production in resistance-trained men
Dose
600 mg/day
Participants
48 physically active men
Duration
6 days
Results
Upper body force development significantly greater in Alpha-GPC group (p=0.04). Athletic performance improved.
How They Measured It
Isometric mid-thigh pull, bench press force
To evaluate Alpha-GPC effects on post-exercise cognitive performance
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Alpha-GPC effects on post-exercise cognitive performance
Dose
600 mg pre-exercise
Participants
16 resistance-trained males
Duration
Acute study, 7-day washout
Results
Alpha-GPC improved post-exercise Stroop test performance (p=0.04) and maintained bench press performance.
How They Measured It
Stroop test, reaction time, bench press performance
Mood & Mental Wellbeing
To examine Alpha-GPC effects on scopolamine-induced memory impairment
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To examine Alpha-GPC effects on scopolamine-induced memory impairment
Dose
1200 mg single dose
Participants
40 healthy young volunteers
Duration
Single dose study
Results
Alpha-GPC significantly attenuated scopolamine-induced memory and attention deficits (p<0.01). Spatial task performance preserved.
How They Measured It
Spatial memory tasks, recall tests, attention measures
To assess Alpha-GPC effects on mood and mental energy in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Alpha-GPC effects on mood and mental energy in healthy adults
Dose
300 mg/day
Participants
26 healthy adults
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in mood, attention, and mental energy vs placebo (p<0.05). Reaction time improved by 9%.
How They Measured It
Profile of Mood States, attention tasks, sustained focus
To examine Alpha-GPC effects on working memory in young adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To examine Alpha-GPC effects on working memory in young adults
Dose
400 mg single dose
Participants
30 healthy university students
Duration
Acute single dose
Results
Alpha-GPC improved accuracy on working memory tasks (p=0.03) and sustained attention. Verbal learning performance improved.
How They Measured It
N-back task, reaction time, RVIP accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alpha-GPC research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Alpha-GPC (Alpha-glycerophosphocholine), involving 1,680 total participants. Research covers Cognitive function, Memory, Athletic performance and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (12 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Alpha-GPC has been researched for: Cognitive function, Memory, Athletic performance, Neurological health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 12 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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