Phosphatidyl Serine and Aging-Can This Remarkable Brain Nutrient Slow Mental Decline?
by Parris M. Kidd, Ph.D.

Phosphatidyl Serine, or "PS" as it is called, is a nutrient found most concentrated in brain cells. Clinical studies indicate that PS can help slow the mental decline associated with aging.

Virgil (ca. 70 B.C.) expressed it long ago. "Time bears away all things, even our minds." As they age, individuals can lose as much as half of their ability to perform everyday tasks related to memory and cognition (the capacity to think and reason). This mental "dropout" is due partly to nerve cell death and partly to unplugging of the connections, called synapses, that link together the nerve cells.

PS is a phospholipid, and is similar to other phospholipids that include PC (phosphatidylcholine), PE (phosphatydldethanolamine, PI (phosphatidylinositol), and sphingomyelin. Until recently, commercial lecithins contained PS only in trace amounts, and PS was only available as a bovine-derived product. Now, a plant-derived PS is available, that has none of the potential safety problems that are associated with bovine brain-derived PS. This new product is a significant breakthrough, since commonly consumed foods have insignificant amounts of PS, and, although the body can make PS from precursors, the biosynthesis demands many cofactors and considerable cell energy.

Double-Blinded Studies with PS for Memory and Cognition

Oral supplementation with PS benefits cognitive functions, particularly in adults of mature years. Some 25 human studies have been performed with PS, of which 12 were studies conducted double-blinded. Most studies involved subjects who had experienced measurable losses in memory, judgment, abstract thought, and other higher mental functions, and in some cases also changes in personality and behavior. The PS dosage ranged from 200-300 mg per day.

In Europe, between 1985 and 1995, at least 10 double-blinded studies were conducted with PS. Delwaide, et al. (1986) concluded....... the changes observed in the present study reflect an improvement in behavior which can be useful for subjects and their families."

Palieri, et. at (1987) stated that Phosphatidyl Serine benefited the cognitive effects of vigilance, attention, and short-term memory, as well as the behavioral traits of apathy and withdrawal.

In the research conducted by Cenacchi et al. (I 993), at least IO studies were conducted with PS. They were randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled, and involved 425 subjects, aged 65-93, supervised by a large number of well- trained investigators. PS was given at 300 mg per day, versus the placebo, for six months. After statistical analysis, scores for withdrawal and apathy were significantly improved, as were the memory and learning scores.

The authors concluded by stating, "These observations are remarkable, particularly, since ... the large number of subjects enrolled... represents the geriatric population commonly encountered in clinical practice."

Two double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled studies with PS have been conducted primarily in the U.S., coordinated by Dr. T.H. Crook, of the Memory Assessment Clinics, of Bethesda, Maryland.

In the 1991 study, 149 subjects, aged 50-75 years, were studied. PS was given at 300 mg per day (100 mg given three times per day), versus a placebo, for 12 weeks. A subgroup of 57 subjects who were relatively memory-impaired benefited most from PS. At week 12, these subjects had improved significantly on the following:

• Learning names and faces
• Recalling telephone numbers
• Recalling paragraphs
• Recalling misplaced objects
• Ability to concentrate

Benefits persisted at least four weeks after PS was discontinued. For name-face acquisition, PS "rolled back the clock" by roughly 12 years, from an average cognitive age" of 64 to a cognitive age of 52. As the authors stated, "The magnitude of effect may be considered significant by many subjects and clinicians." Findings from the 1992 study again found a subgroup that derived more benefits from PS, and benefits were apparent three weeks after dosing began.

PS is a cell membrane-active, phospholipid nutrient. Membranes constitute the major work surfaces of cells, and nerve cells especially depend on membranes to carry out their specialized functions. PS helps activate and regulate many of the proteins which play major roles in these membrane processes.

The phospholipids are large molecules that pack together side-to-side and into a two layer molecular sandwich, creating, together with a little cholesterol, a flexible but cohesive membrane matrix into which the proteins and other membrane constituents are inserted and secured.

Support functions from PS at the membrane level translate into support for the nerve cell as a whole, including the generation of nerve impulses, the accumulation, storage, and release of the nerve transmitter substances, and nerve transmitter action by way of "receptor' proteins located on the target cell surface. In turn, support from PS for individual nerve cells translates into support for the brain as a whole.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) tracks indexes of energy generation in the living brain, and from these generates color- coded, metabolic brain "maps." Heiss et al. (1993) conducted a controlled PET study on 40 subjects with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, using Activation PET, where the subject is given a test, and as brain metabolism becomes activated, the activity "lights up" on the PET monitor. The PS subjects not only showed significantly greater brain activation, but also performed better on the test.

Phosphatidyl Serine: A Safe Dietary Supplement

Results from mechanistic, experimental, and clinical research indicate that PS is a promising and safe dietary supplement, and a premier candidate for inclusion in any program aimed at the support of cognitive functions. Taken orally, PS is rapidly absorbed and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. Normal aging can bring about neurotransmitter disturbances, metabolic decline, and nerve connection dropout. PS makes clinically measurable contributions to all of these brain functions.

Safety and toxicology studies have beer, performed on PS, and PS has an unblemished safety record. Following their large clinical study, Cenacchi et al (1993) commented that PS has a remarkable lack of side effects.

As a dietary supplement, PS is preferably administered in combination with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other appropriate nutrients as part of an integrated personal supplementation program. Particularly when employed in combination with lifestyle revision, exercise, and a healthy diet, PS appears to be prudent and well-advised.

Parris M. Kidd, Ph.D, is a consultant to the dietary supplement industry, and a respected authority on phospholipid nutrients. This article was reprinted with permission from Healthy and Natural Journal, Volume 2, Number 5.