Phosphatidylserine for Memory: Does it Really Work?

observational-study PMID: 39317299

Quick Summary: A recent study found that a supplement containing phosphatidylserine (PS) improved memory and thinking skills in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The supplement also included other ingredients like ALA and Ginkgo.

What The Research Found

Researchers looked at how a supplement with phosphatidylserine (PS) affected older adults with early signs of memory problems. The study showed that people taking the supplement had better scores on tests of:

Arithmetic: Doing math problems.

Similarity: Recognizing how things are alike.

Short-term memory: Remembering things for a short time.

The supplement also seemed to boost levels of important brain chemicals and fatty acids.

Study Details

Who was studied: 190 Chinese adults, average age 68, with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI means they were starting to have some memory or thinking problems.

How long: The study lasted for 12 months (one year).

What they took: Participants took two capsules daily. The capsules contained:

31.5 mg of phosphatidylserine (PS) per capsule (63 mg/day total)
144 mg of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) per capsule (288 mg/day total)
Ginkgo flavonoids
Vitamin B

What This Means For You

This research suggests that a supplement with PS, ALA, Ginkgo, and Vitamin B might help improve memory and thinking skills if you have early signs of memory problems. It's important to remember that this study used a specific combination of ingredients, so the results might not be the same if you take PS alone. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements.

Study Limitations

Not just PS: The supplement contained other ingredients, so we can't be sure if PS alone was responsible for the improvements.

Specific group: The study was done on Chinese adults with MCI, so the results might not be the same for everyone.

Long-term effects unknown: We don't know if the benefits would last longer than a year.

More research needed: The study didn't explain exactly how PS works in the brain.

Key Findings

This 12-month trial found that a supplement containing phosphatidylserine (PS), α-linolenic acid (ALA), Ginkgo flavonoids, and Vitamin B improved cognitive function in Chinese adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Statistically significant improvements were observed in arithmetic (β = 0.688, 95% CI: 0.103–1.274), similarity testing (β = 1.070, 95% CI: 0.472–1.667), and short-term memory (β = 0.600, 95% CI: 0.399–0.800). The supplement also increased serum levels of ALA, DHA, EPA, and neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, GABA, 5-HT). Mediation analysis suggested ALA accounted for 19.7% of the short-term memory improvement (average causal mediation effect = 0.132, 95% CI: 0.053–0.225).

Study Design

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Tianjin, China, with 190 participants (mean age: 67.95 ± 5.62 years; 36.8% male, 63.2% female). Participants were assigned to either the intervention group (n=95) or placebo group (n=95) and monitored for 12 months.

Dosage & Administration

The intervention group received two capsules daily containing:
- 31.5 mg phosphatidylserine (total 63 mg/day)
- 144 mg α-linolenic acid (ALA, total 288 mg/day)
- 3.6 mg Ginkgo total flavonoids
- 0.48 mg Vitamin B
Placebo capsules had no active ingredients.

Results & Efficacy

Cognitive improvements:
Arithmetic: β = 0.688 (95% CI: 0.103–1.274, p < 0.05)
Similarity test: β = 1.070 (95% CI: 0.472–1.667, p < 0.01)
Short-term memory: β = 0.600 (95% CI: 0.399–0.800, p < 0.001)
Serum biomarkers:
ALA: β = 1.620 (95% CI: 0.967–2.265, p < 0.001)
DHA: β = 2.797 (95% CI: 1.075–4.532, p < 0.01)
EPA: β = 1.472 (95% CI: 0.296–2.643, p < 0.05)
Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine (β = 0.441, p < 0.001), GABA (β = 0.009, p < 0.05), and 5-HT (β = 0.160, p < 0.01) all increased significantly.
Mediation effect: ALA partially mediated short-term memory improvements (19.7% mediation proportion).

Limitations

Combination formulation: Effects cannot be attributed solely to PS due to multiple active ingredients (ALA, Ginkgo, Vitamin B).
Population specificity: Participants were Chinese adults with MCI; findings may not generalize to other demographics or cognitive statuses.
Short duration: 12 months may be insufficient to assess long-term efficacy or safety.
Mechanistic gaps: The study did not measure brain PS levels or directly evaluate neurobiological pathways.
Observational constraints: While mediation analysis suggests ALA’s role, causality remains unproven.

Clinical Relevance

This trial supports the potential of PS-containing supplements to enhance cognitive domains like memory and attention in MCI patients. The combination with ALA and Ginkgo flavonoids may synergistically elevate neuroprotective biomarkers. However, the lack of isolated PS testing limits conclusions about its standalone efficacy. For supplement users, these results suggest that formulations with PS and ALA could be beneficial for age-related cognitive decline, though further research is needed to confirm individual contributions. Clinicians should consider population-specific responses and the need for longer-term safety data before recommending this intervention broadly.

Note: The study was published in 2025 (PubMed ID: 39317299). Results should be contextualized within the broader literature on PS and MCI.