Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid component found in cell membranes, particularly abundant in the brain. Its use in supporting or treating dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders, is based on both biological plausibility and some clinical evidence. Several small-scale clinical trials, primarily conducted in the 1980s and 1990s, investigated phosphatidylserine (mostly derived from bovine cortex) and reported modest improvements in memory, attention, and other cognitive functions in elderly patients with cognitive decline and mild dementia. These studies led to phosphatidylserine being marketed as a cognitive enhancer and memory supplement.

However, due to concerns regarding prion diseases, bovine sources were replaced with soy-derived phosphatidylserine in supplements. Only a limited number of trials have tested plant-derived phosphatidylserine, and most have been small and short-term, showing mixed results. While some reported slight cognitive benefits in elderly subjects with memory complaints, others found no significant effect.

Systematic reviews and expert consensus, including those from the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and Cochrane Collaboration, generally conclude that while phosphatidylserine is safe and may have mild benefits in some individuals, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to strongly support its use for dementia. The overall quality of evidence is low to moderate (2/5), and further large-scale, well-controlled studies are needed to establish efficacy. Current use is primarily based on preliminary scientific evidence rather than robust clinical validation.

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