News

J J 17 Sep 2020

Uridine Monophosphate for Memory and Brain Development

Uridine Monophosphate is a brain development nootropic. It is classed as a nucleotide which means it is used as a part of the “core” part of our brain cells called the nucleus. Uridine Monophosphate raises neural brain uridine levels. It increases synaptic plasticity to neurons to easily form new connections. It also works with the central nervous system and helps with mood enhancement. Uridine Monophosphate can also be found naturally in some foods such as tomatoes, brewers yeast, broccoli, offal, walnuts and sugarcane extract.

There are many reasons one might choose to take a Uridine Monophosphate supplement, some include [1]:

To enhance creativity or motivation
To enhance memory
To assist with Bipolar disorder or depression
To condense aches and tenderness
To increase concentration and reduce daydreaming
To increase grey matter in the brain and increase spatial working memory

Brain Development

There are a number of growing studies that are showing Uridine supplementation can be beneficial for brain development. One study found that Uridine promotes brain plasticity, which means the brain can optimise its structure by forming new connections between neurons. [2] A study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology found a significant growth in the dendrite growth for neurons located in the hippocampus region of the brain – the memory centre. [3] Uridine has also been found to increase the production of brain proteins that are crucial for forming long-term memories.

Memory and learning

A study on 26 elderly participants over the space of 12 weeks found a significant improvement in memory abilities of recall, recognition and spatial short term after supplementing with Uridine. Attention, visual learning and activities of daily living (executive functions and mental flexibility) were improved over the supplementation period. The results show that the nutritional supplement may improve cognitive performance in elderly with memory complaints. [4]

Motivation and Productivity

Uridine has been shown to enhance motivation and productivity by releasing the neurotransmitter Dopamine. A study in the Journal of Neuroscience found that brain scans have also shown that people with higher levels of dopamine are more likely to work harder and those with lower dopamine levels tend to not work as hard [5]. Uridine has also been found to modulate the stimulant induced release of dopamine, strengthening the receptors when there is more dopamine being released to avoid getting desensitised. [6]

Summary

Uridine Monophosphate is great for people who are looking to have additional brain development benefits, those who want to feel more motivated and be desensitised to dopamine-enhancing supplements and those who want to have more focus and concentration. Some studies recommend having Uridine with any dopamine enhancing supplement as it regulates your dopamine levels or to have it with a Choline supplement like Alpha GPC and CDP Choline as it boosts many of their memory and brain-developing benefits. [7]