Creatine hydrochloride (HCl) supplements may improve recovery after traumatic brain injury, according to new preclinical research. Mice treated with the supplement before and after head trauma showed better neuronal health and less cellular damage.
Sex Differences in Brain Recovery
Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center used a controlled cortical impact model to study brain injury. The study, currently a preprint on bioRxiv, tracked male and female mice for seven days before injury and 14 days afterward. Scientists investigated sex-dependent effects on inflammation and brain cell survival for the first time.
Responses varied by sex. Female mice given a higher post-injury dose showed reduced neuroinflammation through lower activation of microglia and astrocytes. Mark Faulkner, founder and president of Vireo Systems—which funded the study—called the findings a profound improvement in brain cell survival after head injuries.
Addressing the Post-Traumatic Energy Crisis
The research examines creatine’s role in regenerating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary fuel for brain cells. Traumatic brain injury triggers an energy crisis where fuel demand spikes while production capacity plummets. The team focused on how creatine HCl interacts with metabolic pathways to limit inflammation and cell damage.
Previous research offers mixed results. A 2025 review in Missouri Medicine examined creatine as a nutritional intervention for TBI, noting its impact on metabolic shifts. A 2024 systematic review in Behavioural Brain Research cautioned that evidence regarding cognitive function improvements remains inconsistent despite increased brain creatine concentrations.
Vireo Tests Ingredient Effects in Perimenopausal Women
Vireo Systems is now testing how the ingredient supports cognitive health, mood, and energy in 36 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, as detailed in a 2026 randomized controlled trial in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association. The company plans to investigate sarcopenia in elderly populations, “chemo-brain” fog, and chemotherapy-related organ damage in 2027.
Clinical trials cannot subject humans to intentional head trauma. Faulkner noted that these rodent outcomes cannot be replicated directly in people. Vireo is tracking a multi-year human case study focusing on athletes in a high-impact sport.
