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Citicoline Oral Solution Induces Functional Enhancement and Synaptic Plasticity in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma
Vincenzo Parisi1,2, Lucia Ziccardi1,3, Lucia Tanga1
1IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Livenza 3, 00198 Rome, Italy.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|January 10, 2026
Summary
Citicoline oral solution improved retinal function and neural conduction in open-angle glaucoma patients over 12 months. This treatment enhanced visual pathway connectivity, potentially improving visual field defects.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a progressive optic neuropathy.
- Visual pathway dysfunction is a hallmark of OAG.
- Current treatments primarily aim to reduce intraocular pressure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of Citicoline oral solution on retinal function and neural conduction in OAG patients.
- To evaluate changes in visual pathways over 12 months of treatment.
- To explore potential neuromodulatory effects of Citicoline.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, prospective, double-blind study with 29 OAG patients.
- Citicoline oral solution (500 mg/day) or placebo administered for 12 months.
- Evaluated visual field (VF), pattern electroretinogram (PERG), visual evoked potentials (VEP), Retinocortical Time (RCT), and DTI-MRI.
Main Results:
- Citicoline group showed significant increases in PERG and VEP amplitudes.
- Significant improvements in PERG, VEP implicit times, and RCT were observed with Citicoline.
- Shortening of VEP implicit times correlated with VF Mean Deviation improvements.
- RCT changes were associated with DTI-MRI metrics in visual pathway structures.
Conclusions:
- Citicoline oral solution enhances retinal function and neural conduction in OAG.
- Neuromodulation and altered visual pathway connectivity may underlie Citicoline's effects.
- This treatment may offer a novel approach for improving visual field defects in OAG.
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