Uridine
Pyrimidine nucleoside and phosphatidylcholine precursor; a synapse-building nootropic.
Pharmacology
Contents
WHAT IS URIDINE?
Detailed overview
Uridine is a natural pyrimidine nucleoside that the body converts to uridine triphosphate (UTP) and then cytidine triphosphate, which combines with phosphocholine to form CDP-choline on the Kennedy pathway: the rate-limiting precursor of phosphatidylcholine, the main phospholipid of neuronal membranes. Through this route it supports the synthesis of new synapses and membranes, and in animal models it increases dopamine and acetylcholine release and promotes neurite outgrowth. In the nootropic community it is often combined with DHA (omega-3) and choline, which together build membrane phosphatides more effectively. Human cognitive benefit is not yet established: most evidence comes from animal and mechanistic studies, with a single small open-label human trial showing a promising mood effect in adolescent bipolar depression.
Mechanism
CDP-choline / phosphatidylcholine precursor
Half-life
About 2 hours in plasma
Legal status
Dietary supplement (UMP)
Receptor profile
- Phosphatidylcholine synthesis (CDP-choline)Strong
- P2Y purinergic receptors (UTP)Moderate
- Dopamine releaseModerate
Safety
Side effects, stop signs, contraindications
Side effects · 5
- Generally well tolerated as a supplement, with few reported side effects
- Mild digestive discomfort (nausea, diarrhea) can occur at higher doses
- May theoretically raise uric acid levels, since purine and pyrimidine metabolism are linked
- Human cognitive benefit is unestablished: most evidence comes from animal studies
- Limited long-term safety data with high, sustained dosing
Contraindications · 4
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid in the absence of targeted safety data
- Gout or high uric acid: theoretical risk via nucleotide metabolism
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the compound
- A supplement, not a medicine: does not replace treatment of a diagnosed condition
Related Nootropics
Same therapeutic category
Studies
Related research and clinical findings
Open-label uridine for treatment of depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder
Kondo DG, Sung YH, Hellem TL, Fiedler KK, Shi X, Jeong EK, Renshaw PF
Nutritional modifiers of aging brain function: use of uridine and other phosphatide precursors to increase formation of brain synapses
Wurtman RJ, Cansev M, Ulus IH
Oral administration of circulating precursors for membrane phosphatides can promote the synthesis of new brain synapses
Wurtman RJ, Cansev M, Sakamoto T, Ulus I
Dietary uridine enhances the improvement in learning and memory produced by administering DHA to gerbils
Holguin S, Martinez J, Chow C, Wurtman R
Synaptic proteins and phospholipids are increased in gerbil brain by administering uridine plus docosahexaenoic acid orally
Wurtman RJ, Ulus IH, Cansev M, Watkins CJ, Wang L, Marzloff G
Dietary uridine-5'-monophosphate supplementation increases potassium-evoked dopamine release and promotes neurite outgrowth in aged rats
Wang L, Pooler AM, Albrecht MA, Wurtman RJ
FAQ
FAQ
Pyrimidine nucleoside and phosphatidylcholine precursor; a synapse-building nootropic.
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Structure & chemistry
The information here is strictly for educational and scientific purposes. It does not replace medical advice or clinical consultation, and it does not encourage illegal substance or pharmaceutical use. Data is sourced. When in doubt, consult your doctor.