Phosphatidylserine

Multicenter Clinical Trial of Brain Phosphatidylserine in Elderly Patients with Intellectual Deterioration

Study: This 1987 multicenter, randomized, controlled trial evaluated PS in elderly patients with intellectual deterioration. Patients received 300 mg/day of bovine cortex-derived PS (BC-PS) or placebo for 60 days, with cognitive and behavioral outcomes assessed using standardized scales.

Findings: PS significantly improved cognitive and behavioral parameters compared to placebo, with notable enhancements in memory and attention. The treatment was well-tolerated with no significant adverse effects reported.

Link: Clinical Trials Journal

Phosphatidylserine in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Results of a Multicenter Study

Study: This 1988 multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 104 patients with Alzheimer’s disease receiving 300 mg/day BC-PS or placebo for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using the Psychopharmacological Bulletin scale and other cognitive tests.

Findings: PS significantly improved cognitive impairment, particularly in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s, with effects on memory and daily functioning. No serious adverse effects were noted, though benefits diminished over time.

Link: Psychopharmacological Bulletin

The Influence of Phosphatidylserine Supplementation on Mood and Heart Rate When Faced with an Acute Stressor

Study: This 2001 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 40 healthy adults receiving 300 mg/day BC-PS or placebo for 30 days. Mood and heart rate were assessed during an acute stress test (mental arithmetic task).

Findings: PS supplementation reduced stress-induced increases in heart rate and improved mood scores compared to placebo, suggesting a potential role in stress modulation. No significant side effects were reported.

Link: Nutritional Neuroscience

Soybean-Derived Phosphatidylserine Improves Memory Function of the Elderly Japanese Subjects with Memory Complaints

Study: This 2010 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involved 78 elderly Japanese individuals (aged 50–69) with mild cognitive impairment. Participants received 100 mg or 300 mg/day soybean-derived PS (Soy-PS) or placebo for 6 months, followed by a 3-month follow-up. Cognitive function was assessed using the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT).

Findings: In subjects with low baseline memory scores, Soy-PS (both doses) significantly improved delayed verbal recall compared to placebo, with effects sustained post-treatment. No adverse effects were observed, and blood markers remained unchanged.

Link: PMC

Safety of Phosphatidylserine Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Non-Demented Elderly: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial Followed by an Open-Label Extension

Study: This 2011 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension involved 157 non-demented elderly with memory complaints. Participants received 300 mg/day PS with omega-3 fatty acids (PS-DHA) or placebo for 15 weeks. Cognitive outcomes were assessed using standardized tests.

Findings: PS-DHA improved cognitive deficits, particularly memory, in non-demented elderly, with no serious adverse effects. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no significant changes in vital signs or blood markers.

Link: BMC Neurology

The Effect of Phosphatidylserine Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, Followed by an Open-Label Extension

Study: This 2012 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension involved 200 children with ADHD (aged 6–13). Participants received 300 mg/day PS with omega-3 fatty acids or placebo for 15 weeks. Outcomes included ADHD symptoms (DSM-IV-TR), hyperactivity, and mood.

Findings: PS-omega-3 significantly reduced hyperactive-impulsive behavior and improved mood compared to placebo, with effects most pronounced in emotionally dysregulated children. No serious side effects were reported.

Link: European Psychiatry

The Effect of Phosphatidylserine Administration on Memory and Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Study: This 2014 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 36 children (aged 4–14) with ADHD who had not received prior ADHD medication. Participants received 200 mg/day Soy-PS or placebo for 2 months. Outcomes included ADHD symptoms (DSM-IV-TR), short-term auditory memory (Digit Span Test), and mental performance (GO/NO GO task).

Findings: PS significantly improved ADHD symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity), short-term auditory memory, and inattention/impulsivity task performance compared to placebo. No significant adverse effects were reported.

Link: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Phosphatidylserine Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Improve Memory Abilities in Non-Demented Elderly Individuals with Memory Complaints: Results from an Open-Label Extension Study

Study: This 2014 open-label extension followed a double-blind trial, involving 121 non-demented elderly with memory complaints. Participants received 300 mg/day PS with omega-3 fatty acids for 15 weeks after the initial trial. Memory and cognitive function were assessed.

Findings: PS-omega-3 continued to improve memory abilities, particularly in those with baseline memory complaints, with no significant adverse effects. The open-label nature limits conclusions, but safety was confirmed.

Link: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders

Long-Term Effects of Phosphatidylserine, Pyritinol, and Cognitive Training in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Neuropsychological, EEG, and PET Investigation

Study: This 1994 randomized trial involved 70 patients with Alzheimer’s disease receiving 400 mg/day BC-PS (200 mg twice daily), pyritinol, or cognitive training for 8–16 weeks. Neuropsychological symptoms, EEG, and PET scans assessed brain function.

Findings: PS significantly improved neuropsychological symptoms and brain function (via EEG/PET) at 8 and 16 weeks, particularly in early-stage Alzheimer’s, with greater benefits when combined with cognitive training. No serious side effects were reported.

Link: Dementia

The Effect of Phosphatidylserine and Phosphatidic Acid Supplementation on Cortisol and ACTH Levels Following a Social Stress Challenge

Study: This 2014 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 80 healthy adults receiving 300 mg/day PS, PS with phosphatidic acid (PA), or placebo for 6 weeks. Cortisol and ACTH levels were measured during a social stress test (Trier Social Stress Test).

Findings: PS and PS+PA showed no significant effects on cortisol or ACTH levels overall. A post-hoc analysis suggested benefits in chronically stressed participants at the highest dose, but results were inconclusive due to study limitations.

Link: Examine.com