Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Acetylated form of L-carnitine that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Shuttles long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane via the carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) system for beta-oxidation. The acetyl group donates to acetyl-CoA pools, supporting both mitochondrial energy production and acetylcholine synthesis. Neuroprotective effects mediated through upregulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors.
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- PMID:17658628Acetyl-L-carnitine: a review of its pharmacology and clinical use — Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2007
- PMID:12213546A meta-analysis of acetyl-L-carnitine for cognitive decline — Psychogeriatrics, 2002
ALCAR is the only form of carnitine worth discussing for cognitive applications. The acetyl group is the differentiator — it crosses the blood-brain barrier where standard L-carnitine cannot. Dual mechanism. Mitochondrial fatty acid transport on one side. Acetylcholine precursor support on the other. The meta-analyses for mild cognitive impairment are positive. The exercise performance data is modest. Where ALCAR earns its place is in the mitochondrial stack alongside CoQ10 and PQQ. Three compounds targeting three different bottlenecks in the same organelle.
This is not medical advice
Discuss with a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any compound. This page documents what the research literature describes — it is not a prescription.
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