Kyowa Hakko Explores Acute Cognitive Benefits of Cognizin in New Proof-of-Concept Study

Kyowa Hakko USA has announced it will present new proof-of-concept research on its branded citicoline ingredient, Cognizin, at the upcoming International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Annual Conference. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study investigated the acute, single-dose effects of the ingredient on brain wave activity and cognitive performance in healthy adults. This emerging research contributes to the existing body of evidence supporting the ingredient's application in cognitive health formulations, a May 27 press release from the company explains.¹

While the long-term benefits of extended Cognizin supplementation on focus, mental energy, attention, and memory are already established through decades of research, this specific trial evaluated whether meaningful neuroelectric and cognitive changes could be observed after a single dose.

Cognizin Citicoline is a clinically patented form of citicoline backed by over 35 years of research, development, and application experience. Manufactured using fermentation technology to ensure purity and quality, Cognizin is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), allergen-free, and highly stable, as explained in the press release.

Study Methodology and Evaluation

The clinical trial evaluated healthy male adults who received either a 500 mg dose of Cognizin or a placebo. Researchers measured outcomes utilizing three distinct parameters:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) brain wave analysis
• Validated cognitive performance tasks
• Subjective mood and affect assessments

To understand both the onset and duration of the potential cognitive effects, investigators evaluated the study participants at 60 minutes and 240 minutes post-ingestion.

Katie Emerson, PhD(c), RD, CISSN, senior manager of scientific affairs at Kyowa Hakko USA, noted the importance of exploring the effects of a single dose of Cognizin. “This study is an exciting step forward for the Cognizin research portfolio,” said Emerson. “By exploring the acute effects of a single dose, we’re gaining new insight into how quickly Cognizin may begin to support brain function—which has meaningful implications for product development across cognitive health, sports nutrition, and functional food and beverage applications.”

Presentation at 2026 ISSN

The complete findings, including the study methodology, neurophysiological data, and future implications for cognitive ingredient science, will be unveiled at the 2026 ISSN Annual Conference. The data will be shared during a 30-minute oral presentation titled "Fueling Focus: Acute Cognizin Effects on Brain Activity and Cognitive Performance." The session will be co-presented by Emerson and Tim N. Ziegenfuss, PhD, CSCS, FISSN, who serves as the CEO of The Center for Applied Health Sciences and is a Past President of the ISSN.

The new research highlights the company's ongoing investment in rigorous clinical science as a key product differentiator in a crowded cognitive health market, the company adds.

Citicoline and Active Nutrition

In a recent Nutritional Outlook Peer Exchange on product development science for pre-workout products, Emerson highlighted the effects of citicoline in relation to the mental aspect of active nutrition.² “We heard [results from an] in vitro study that's showing citicoline is improving neuromuscular junction,” Emerson explains. “It's actually creating new neuromuscular junctions in skeletal muscle cell, something I had never really even thought was a mechanism behind citicoline. So, not only is it having that cognitive ability with focus attention, it has this motor function, reaction time improvement that's going all the way down into the muscle as well as the brain, so it's having the systemic effect throughout the body that can be translated into not just mental performance, but physical performance.”

In the same discussion, Joey Savage, President of Future Nutra Foundation and Founder of Savage Nutra, also noted that Cognizin is a choline donor and enhances phospholipids, explaining that this is potentially the driver of these neuromuscular junction effects.

About the Companies and Ingredients

Kyowa Hakko USA is the North and South American headquarters for Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd., operating as part of Kirin Holdings' Health Science group. The company delivers science-backed branded ingredients to the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, wellness, and functional food and beverage industries, leveraging over 75 years of fermentation innovation and Kirin's century-long fermentation legacy.

In addition to Cognizin, Kyowa’s specialty ingredient portfolio includes Setria Glutathione, Pantesin Pantethine, and EYEMUSE Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110.

This article was created with assistance from AI. The content has been reviewed and edited by Erin McEvoy, Associate Editor. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact us.

References

1. Kyowa Hakko USA. New Proof-of-Concept Study Explores Acute Cognitive Benefits of Cognizin. Press release provided via email May 27, 2026. Accessed June 1, 2026.
2. Kalman D, Emerson K, Savage J. Differentiating Your Pre-Workout Product. May 29, 2026. Accessed June 1, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/differentiating-your-pre-workout-product