Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This study of healthy participants with memory complaints, consumed 300 mg of phosphatidyl serine daily and experienced significant improvements in memory, after 6 weeks of supplementation.
Decline in memory is one of the major concerns of an aging population (1). Memory loss is a major risk factor for dementia, which affects approximately 3.4 million individuals in the United States (1,2). A recent study examined the effects of soy-derived phosphatidylserine and found it improved memory in an elderly population (1).
Phosphatidylserine is a major component of the brain and the membrane found around cells. For that reason, phosphatidylserine has been studied as a possible supplement to improve memory and brain function (1). Past research was conducted with phosphatidylserine derived from cow brain, and it was found to be effective in improving memory, learning and concentration (1,3). The rise of “mad cow disease” (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) brought an end to the supplementation, due to safety reasons (1,4). Now phosphatidylserine can be derived from soybeans and offers a safer alternative (1).
The recent research included 30 healthy participants (8 males, 22 females aged 50 to 90) with memory complaints. All participants were examined for memory performance based on a computerized assessment and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Rey-AVLT). Then every participant was given 3 capsules of phosphatidylserine per day, for a total of 300 mg, to be taken with meals for 12 weeks (1).
After 6-weeks of supplementation, improvement was observed in the computerized assessment in memory recognition (P = 0.003) and memory recall (P = 0.01). After 12 weeks, the computerized assessment showed significant improvement in memory compared to baseline in memory recognition (P = 0.007), memory recall (P = 0.015), executive functions (P = 0.013), and mental flexibility (P = 0.029) (1).
After 12 weeks of supplementation, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Rey-AVLT) showed significant improvement in immediate recall (P = 0.007) and total learning scores (P = 0.013) (1).
No serious adverse events were reported. As an interesting aside, after 12 weeks of supplementation, both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure improved significantly compared to baseline (average systolic by 8.9 +/- 4.2 mmHg, P = 0.043; average diastolic by 6.8 +/- 2.1 mmHg, P = 0.003) (1).
In conclusion, soybean-derived phosphatidylserine showed a positive improvement in memory function in the elderly. Although this was a pilot study, the results are encouraging. Research with more participants and with a placebo group should be conducted to confirm the results (1).
Source: Richter, Yael, et al. “The effect of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine on cognitive performance in elderly with subjective memory complaints: a pilot study.” Clinical interventions in aging 8 (2013): 557.
© 2013 Richter et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Posted June 24, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Richter Y, et al. The effect of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine on cognitive performance in elderly with subjective memory complaints: a pilot study. 2013. Clinical Interventions of Aging 8: 557-563.
- Plassman BL, et al. Prevalence of Dementia in the United States: The Aging Demographics, and Memory Study. 2007 Neuroepidemiology. 29 (1-2): 125-132.
- [No authors listed]. Phosphatidylserine. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2008;13(3):245–247.
- Prusiner SB. Molecular biology of prion diseases. Science. 1991; 252(5012):1515–1522.
