title: Neuroprotection and recovery: recent data at the bench on citicoline.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this work, we review recent data on the actions of citicoline, citicoline is a drug with demonstrated neuroprotective properties in both animals and humans. Summary of Review- For neuroprotection, mechanisms involved are the improvement of cellular functions aimed to control excitotoxicity and to maintain cellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels by preserving membrane function and integrity at different levels. Importantly, these actions are theoretically achieved without interfering with possible underlying mechanisms for neurorepair. Furthermore, citicoline stimulates neuronal plasticity and improves sensorimotor recovery in the chronic phase of experimental stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the mechanisms of some of these actions remain to be elucidated, so far citicoline appears as a drug with the ability to promote "safe" neuroprotection capable of enhancing endogenous protective pathways at the same time as preparing the scenario for plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Avda Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. neurona@med.ucm.es
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hurtado
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lizasoain
authors.forename: María Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Moro
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate