Phosphatidylserine

What does it do? Phosphatidylserine (PS) belongs to a special category of fat-soluble substances called phospholipids, which are essential components of cell membranes. PS is found in high concentrations in the brain. According to double-blind studies, it may help preserve, or even improve, some aspects of mental functioning in the elderly when taken in the amount of 300 mg per day for three to six months.1 2

In patients with early Alzheimer’s disease, placebo-controlled3 and double-blind studies have shown mild benefits from PS supplementation when used in the amount of 300 mg per day for three to twelve weeks.4 5 In one double-blind study, the improvement on standardized tests of mental functioning averaged approximately 15%.6 Continued improvement has been reported up to three months beyond the end of the supplementation period.7

PS is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. While it may reduce symptoms in the short term, at best PS probably slows the rate of deterioration rather than halting the progression altogether. For example, in a six-month trial, benefits began to fade after the fourth month.8 PS affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain related to mood. In a preliminary trial, elderly women suffering from depression who were given 300 mg of PS per day for 30 days experienced, on average, a 70% reduction in the severity of their depression.9

Where is it found? PS is found in only trace amounts in a typical diet. Very small amounts are present in lecithin. The body manufactures PS from phospholipid building blocks. PS research has used material derived from a bovine source. Currently, PS that is commercially available is derived from soy.

Phosphatidylserine has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating Health Concerns
3Stars Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD)
1Star Alzheimer’s disease
Depression
Parkinson’s disease
3Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient? PS is not an essential nutrient, and therefore dietary deficiencies do not occur. Adults age 50 and older, especially those with age-related cognitive decline, may not synthesize enough PS, and appear most likely to benefit from supplemental PS.

Which form is best? Most research has been conducted with PS derived from bovine (cow) brain tissue. Due to concerns about the possibility of humans contracting infectious diseases (such as Creutzfeld-Jakob or “mad cow” disease), bovine PS is not available in the United States. The soy- and bovine-derived PS, however, are not structurally identical.10 Doctors and researchers have debated whether the structural differences could be important,11 12 but so far only a few trials have studied the effects of soy-based PS.

Preliminary animal research shows that the soy-derived PS does have effects on brain function similar to effects from the bovine source.13 14 15 An isolated unpublished double-blind human study used soy-derived PS in an evaluation of memory and mood benefits in non-demented, non-depressed elderly people with impaired memories and accompanying depression.16 In this three-month study, 300 mg per day of PS was not significantly more effective than a placebo. Science does not yet have an answer to the question of whether the benefits shown in research using PS from a bovine source will be seen in individuals taking the soy-based PS.

How much is usually taken? Positive effects on mental function have been achieved using 200–500 mg per day of bovine PS; most studies used 300 mg per day.

Are there any side effects or interactions? No significant side effects associated with PS have been reported.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with phosphatidylserine.

References:

1. Crook TH, Tinklenberg J, Yesavage J, et al. Effects of phosphatidylserine in age-associated memory impairment. Neurology 1991;41:644–9.

2. Cenacchi T, Bertoldin T, Farina C, et al. Cognitive decline in the elderly: a double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study on efficacy of phosphatidylserine administration. Aging (Milano) 1993;5:123–33.

3. Crook T, Petrie W, Wells C, Massari DC. Effects of phosphatidylserine in Alzheimer’s disease. Psychopharmacol Bull 1992;28:61–6.

4. Delwaide PJ, Gyselynck-Mambourg AM, Hurlet A, et al. Double-blind randomized controlled study of phosphatidylserine in senile demented patients. Acta Neurol Scand 1986;73:136–40.

5. Engel RR, Satzger W, Gunther W, et al. Double-blind cross-over study of phosphatidylserine vs. placebo in patients with early dementia of the Alzheimer type. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 1992;2:149–55.

6. Fünfgeld EW, Baggen M, Nedwidek P, et al. Double-blind study with phosphatidylserine (PS) in Parkinsonian patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer’s type (SDAT). Prog Clin Biol Res 1989;317:1235–46.

7. Amaducci L. Phosphatidylserine in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: results of a multicenter study. Psychopharmacol Bull 1988;24:130–4.

8. Heiss WD, Kessler J, Mielke R, et al. Long-term effects of phosphatidylserine, pyritinol, and cognitive training in Alzheimer’s disease. A neuropsychological, EEG, and PET investigation. Dementia 1994;5:88–98.

9. Maggioni M, Picotti GB, Bondiolotti GP, et al. Effects of phosphatidylserine therapy in geriatric patients with depressive disorders. Acta Psychiatr Scand (Denmark) 1990;81:265–70.

10. Sakai M, Yamatoya H, Kudo S. Pharmacological effects of phosphatidylserine enzymatically synthesized from soybean lecithin on brain functions in rodents. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1996;42:47–54.

11. Kidd PM. Don’t believe everything you read. . .a sequel. Point. Townsend Letter for Doctors Patients 1997;July:122–4 [editorial].

12. Gaby AR. Don’t believe everything you read. CounterPoint. Townsend Letter for Doctors Patients 1997;July:125–6 [editorial].

13. Furushiro M, Suzuki S, Shishido Y, et al. Effects of oral administration of soybean lecithin transphosphatidylated phosphatidylserine on impaired learning of passive avoidance in mice. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997;75:447–50.

14. Sakai M, Yamatoya H, Kudo S. Pharmacological effects of phosphatidylserine enzymatically synthesized from soybean lecithin on brain functions in rodents. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1996;42:47–54.

15. Blokland A, Honig W, Brouns F, et al. Cognition-enhancing properties of subchronic phosphatidylserine (PS) treatment in middle-aged rats: comparison of bovine cortex PS with egg PS and soybean PS. Nutrition 1999;15:778–83.

16. Gindin J, Novikov M, Kedar D, et al. The effect of plant phosphatidylserine on age-associated memory impairment and mood in the functioning elderly. Rehovot, Israel: Geriatric Institute for Education and Research, and Department of Geriatrics, Kaplan Hospital, 1995.