Choline alfoscerate (L-α-glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a prodrug, from which the choline precursor of acetylcholine is released by hydrolysis. The latter is an agonist of all subtypes of cholinergic receptors.
Choline alphoscerate contains 40.5% choline by weight, released from the compound in the brain; Choline is involved in the biosynthesis of acetylcholine, is a donor of the methyl groups, and participates in other plastic reactions in the body. Alphoscerate ion is metabolized to the glycerophosphate ion.
Acetylcholine directly participates in the transmission of a nerve impulse, both in the central and peripheral nervous system. Glycerophosphate is included in various metabolic pathways, including participates in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (one of the phospholipids of cell membranes). Thus, the drug acts on the cholinergic transmission of the nerve impulse, the plasticity of the neuron membrane.
It is assumed that the drug reduces cognitive impairment in degenerative and cardiovascular lesions of the brain (including cerebrovascular insufficiency and some forms of dementia).