Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Increases Motivation in Healthy Volunteers: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Human Study.

Yasuhisa Tamura,Kiminori Matsubara,Yosky Kataoka,Kumi Takata

doi:10.3390/nu13062091

Abstract

Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (αGPC) is a precursor of acetylcholine and can increase acetylcholine concentration in the brain. In addition, αGPC has a role in cholinergic function as well as monoaminergic transmission, including dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. These monoaminergic systems are related to feelings and emotions, including motivation, reward processing, anxiety, and depression. However, the precise effects of αGPC on human feelings and emotions remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated changes in the subjective feelings of healthy volunteers using the KOKORO scale before and after administering αGPC. Thirty-nine volunteers participated in a single-blind, placebo-controlled design. Participants completed a KOKORO scale test to quantify self-reported emotional states, three times each day for two weeks preceding treatment and then for a further two weeks while self-administering treatment. αGPC treatment show a tendency to increase motivation during the intervention period. Furthermore, motivation at night was significantly higher in the αGPC group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). However, αGPC did not show any effects on anxiety. These data suggest that αGPC can be used to increase motivation in healthy individuals.

Highlights

Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine is a deacylated phosphatidylcholine derivative and is widely used as a dietary supplement
5-HT1A receptor knockout mice show increased anxiety-like behavior [19]. These findings suggest that αGPC may affect motivation and anxiety in healthy volunteers
We investigated the effects of αGPC on anxiety–relief and lethargy–motivation in healthy volunteers using the KOKORO scale

Summary

Introduction

Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (αGPC) is a deacylated phosphatidylcholine derivative and is widely used as a dietary supplement. Treatment with αGPC increases dopamine levels as well as dopamine active transporter expression in the frontal cortex and cerebellum [10]. It increases serotonin levels in the frontal cortex and striatum of rat brains [10]. These data suggest that αGPC has the potential to act as a modulator of the dopaminergic (DA) neurotransmission and serotonergic (5-HT) system in addition to affecting cholinergic circuits. 5-HT1A receptor knockout mice show increased anxiety-like behavior [19] These findings suggest that αGPC may affect motivation and anxiety in healthy volunteers. We investigated the effects of αGPC on anxiety–relief and lethargy–motivation in healthy volunteers using the KOKORO scale

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion