Phosphatidylserine (PS) supports healthy brain cell membranes — “turning back the clock” on memory & mental clarity.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a fat compound that’s vital for the proper function of cell membranes. PS appears to support healthy brain function through:

• Supporting neuron membranes. As a critical component of brain cell membranes, PS has been shown to fight cognitive decline, improve memory, and other aspects of cognition.

Overview

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is categorized as a phospholipid – a fat compound that acts as a key component of cell membranes.¹ PS is found throughout the body, but is most concentrated in the brain, where it makes up 15% of the total phospholipid pool.² Given this, its not surprising that PS is vital to optimal brain health and has been associated with nootropic effects.

How PS Might Help the Brain

As a major component of brain cell membranes, phosphatidylserine has been demonstrated to:

Support brain energy metabolism

PS has shown a capacity to boost brain energy metabolism by enhancing the inflow of glucose and oxygen molecules.⁵

Optimizing neural communication

Brain processes require effective communication between neurons through the exchange of electrical impulses from neuron to neuron.⁶ PS stimulates brain chemicals that boost these neural impulses.⁷

Signaling for brain “clean-up”

In damaged neurons, PS helps bring in immune cells to engulf the cell before its death unleashes harmful toxins.^{8 9 10}

Promoting brain cell survival

Evidence suggests that PS works in concert with Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to protect brain cells from damaging factors, which may prolong neuron survival.¹¹

PS Potential Nootropic Benefits & Uses

Phosphatidylserine is one of the most evidence-backed nootropics available. Its memory-sharpening effects seem potent for mild age-related brain fog and may also improve mental function in more serious cases of dementia and cognitive dysfunction. Although no direct cause and effect relationship has been proven, PS has been strongly associated with slowing, halting, and reversing the progression of age-related cognitive decline, and has also been shown to enhance mood, motivation, and quality of life in geriatric years.

And while most research has focused on its benefits for the elderly, there is also some evidence that it may boost cognition in individuals of all ages, including children with ADHD.

Research

Human Research

Clinical studies have demonstrated on multiple occasions that phosphatidylserine has favorable effects on cognitive function, with particularly notable improvements in memory.

Phosphatidylserine (100 mg) may boost cognitive performance in older adults with early cognitive impairment

This study administered either 100 mg of PS or placebo to 51 patients aged 55-75 believed to have Alzheimer’s for a span of 12 weeks. At the study’s end, researchers found that patients who took PS showed improvement across several measures of cognitive performance when compared with placebo. The most significant improvements were found in patients with the mildest cognitive impairment.

• The researchers concluded that phosphatidylserine “may be a promising candidate for study in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.”¹³

Phosphatidylserine (100 mg) appears to help with Age-Associated Memory Impairment

Researchers investigated how PS supplementation of 100 mg daily (or placebo) for 12 weeks might help 149 age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) patients between the ages of 50 and 75. After the supplementation period was complete, investigators found that, relative to those who took placebo, patients who took PS performed better on tests of learning and day-to-day memory. Participants who had the worst cognitive function were found to be most likely to benefit from PS supplementation.

• The researchers concluded that “the compound may be a promising candidate for treating memory loss later in life.”¹⁴

Phosphatidylserine (300 mg) seems to improve cognitive function in elderly women with depression

In this small study, 10 elderly women with depression were given a placebo for 15 days followed by 300 mg PS daily for 30 days. Patients were then evaluated with a series of four tests for measuring mood, memory, and overall cognition. PS was found to improve depression and several parameters of cognitive function.

• The researchers concluded that PS “induced consistent improvement of depressive symptoms, memory and behavior.”¹⁵

Phosphatidylserine (300 mg) may alleviate cognitive decline in the elderly

In this double-blind study, researchers gave 300 mg of PS or placebo to 494 geriatric patients with moderate-to-severe cognitive decline for 6 months. Patients were tested for behavior and cognition at the study’s start, three-month, and six-month marks. At the study’s end, researchers reported that PS was tied to significant improvements across cognition — including learning, awareness, behavior, motivation and memory — and that the supplement was well-tolerated.

• The researchers concluded that “statistically significant improvements in the phosphatidylserine-treated group compared to placebo were observed both in terms of behavioral and cognitive parameters.”¹⁶

Soy phosphatidylserine (100, 300 mg) may improve memory function in the elderly

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 78 Japanese seniors were given a placebo or either 100 or 300 mg of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine (Soy-PS) every day for 6 months. Although neuropsychological test scores increased in all groups, the memory scores were significantly increased in people with low baseline scores only in the PS treated groups.

• The researchers concluded that “Soy-PS used in this study is considered as safety food ingredient and 6 months of Soy-PS supplementation could improve the memory functions of the elderly with memory complaints.”¹⁷

Phosphatidylserine (200 mg) may improve mental function in children with ADHD

This  randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the use of PS in children with ADHD. A total of 36 children were given placebo or PS (200 mg) daily for 2 months. PS supplementation was found to memory, attention, and impulsivity.

• The researchers concluded that “PS supplementation might be a safe and natural nutritional strategy for improving mental performance in young children suffering from ADHD.”¹⁸

Soy-phosphatidylserine (400 mg) may improve cognitive function before exercise

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation, 18 resistance-trained male college students took either a placebo or a PS supplement containing 400 mg of soy-derived PS every day for 14 days. PS was found to significantly reduce the time required to correctly calculate subtraction problems by 20% (approximately 1.27 sec per calculation), reduced the total number of errors by 39%, and increased the number of correct calculations by 13% before undergoing resistance training.

• The researchers concluded that “PS supplementation significantly increased cognitive function prior to exercise.”¹⁹

Nootropic Dosage

• In clinical studies, 100 – 800 mg of PS daily has been associated with cognitive benefits.
• Typical retail supplement dosages range from 100 – 500 mg per day.

Available Forms

• Cow-based phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine was originally sourced from cows’ brains, but safety concerns led to development of vegetarian PS.
• Soy-based phosphatidylserine. Made from soy lecithin, this form is the most widely one used in supplements.
• SerinAid®. This is a branded form of PS made from soy lecithin. It is available in liquid and powder formulations, but has no apparent proprietary advantages over plain PS, despite its higher cost.
• Sharp PS® GREEN. This trademarked form of PS undergoes special processing that sources PS from non-GMO sunflower instead of soy, so it is free of all soy allergens. This form of PS is also noted for its environmentally-friendly manufacturing practices.