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Research · Supplements

Phosphatidylserine

Trials of phosphatidylserine from cow brain found better memory scores in older adults. A 12-week trial of the soy form found no difference from placebo at 300 or 600 mg a day. One meta-analysis found less inattention in children with ADHD, on low-quality evidence. Trials up to 30 weeks found no differences in blood safety tests.

Add to Bio HackChecked 2026-11-09
Status
Dietary supplement in the US. In 2003 the FDA allowed qualified health claims for cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the elderly, with a disclaimer that the supporting research is very limited and preliminary.
Also called
PS, PtdSer, BC-PS, bovine cortex phosphatidylserine, soy phosphatidylserine, S-PS, PS-DHA, PS-Omega3, PAS, phosphatidylserine complex
Taken for
memory, cognitive decline, dementia, focus, ADHD, stress, cortisol, exercise recovery, endurance

Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on

Shown to help1

Reported risks1

What people take it for, and what was found

Shown to help1

ModerateStudied in children

ADHD symptoms in children

Shown to reduce inattention modestly in children with ADHD, with no significant change in overall symptoms or hyperactivity. Evidence was rated low quality.

The numbers and sources
Effect
Across 3 randomized trials (216 children), 200 to 300 mg a day of PS reduced inattention compared with placebo (effect size 0.36, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.64). Overall ADHD symptoms (0.76, 95% CI -0.07 to 1.60) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (0.24, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.53) did not differ significantly [7].
Population
Children 18 and under with ADHD [7].
Sources
[7]
Caveats
The review rated the quality of the evidence as low. It was funded by NIH's NCCIH [7].

Mixed results2

Limited

Memory in older adults with memory complaints

Small trials found mixed results: bovine PS improved memory in older adults with memory complaints, while soy PS did not differ from placebo.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 149 people with age-associated memory impairment, 300 mg a day of bovine cortex PS for 12 weeks improved learning and memory tests compared with placebo, mainly in those who scored lowest at the start [1]. In 494 people aged 65 to 93 with moderate to severe cognitive decline, 300 mg a day for 6 months improved behavioral and cognitive scores compared with placebo [2]. In 120 older adults, soy PS at 300 or 600 mg a day for 12 weeks did not differ from placebo on any memory, reaction time or attention measure [3]. In 157 older adults, a fish-derived PS-DHA for 15 weeks improved verbal immediate recall compared with placebo, and other gains appeared only in a post hoc subgroup [4].
Population
Older adults with memory complaints or cognitive decline, 120 to 494 per trial, 12 weeks to 6 months [1][2][3][4].
Sources
[1], [2], [3], [4]
Caveats
The sources disagree. Most positive trials used bovine PS, which is no longer the usual product source. The FDA described bovine and soy PS as possibly different substances and noted that the one soy trial it reviewed showed no effect [5]. The PS-DHA trial was industry funded, as noted under Risks.
LimitedStudied in men

Cortisol and performance during exercise

Small trials found mixed results: one found lower cortisol during cycling, and another found longer time to exhaustion with no change in cortisol.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 10 healthy men, 600 mg a day for 10 days lowered peak cortisol by 39% and cortisol area under the curve by 35% during moderate cycling, compared with placebo [8]. In 14 active men, 750 mg a day of soy PS for 10 days lengthened time to exhaustion at 85% VO2max from 7:51 to 9:51 minutes, with no change on placebo. Serum cortisol did not change [9].
Population
10 [8] and 14 [9] healthy young men.
Sources
[8], [9]
Caveats
The two small trials differ on cortisol. Two authors of [8] were affiliated with Increnovo LLC, though the paper declares no competing interests [8].

Not shown to help1

Limited

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease

FDA concluded in 2003 there is little scientific evidence that PS reduces dementia risk. One small trial found global ratings improved but not dementia scales.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In a crossover trial in 33 people with mild dementia, 300 mg a day of bovine PS for 8 weeks led to more patients rated globally improved than placebo. Dementia rating scales and psychometric tests did not differ [6]. Reviewing the evidence in 2003, the FDA concluded there is little scientific evidence that PS reduces the risk of dementia [5].
Population
33 adults with mild dementia [6]. FDA review of the trials submitted in a health claim petition [5].
Sources
[6], [5]
Caveats
The FDA noted that most studies were in people already diagnosed, several were open-label or crossover, and nominally significant results were not corrected for multiple comparisons [5].

Doses studied

Memory and dementia trials used 300 mg a day, given as 100 mg three times a day in one trial, for 8 weeks to 6 months [1][2][6]. A soy PS trial tested 300 and 600 mg a day [3]. Exercise trials used 600 to 750 mg a day for 10 days [8][9]. Pediatric ADHD trials used 200 to 300 mg a day [7].

Risks

Reported risks1

Limited

Bovine brain source

FDA allowed its health claim only if bovine PS came from countries without BSE and soy PS was of very high purity.

The numbers and sources
Effect
The FDA allowed its qualified health claim only if bovine PS came from cattle in countries without bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and soy PS was of very high purity [5].
Population
US labeling decision [5].
Sources
[5]
Caveats
A regulatory condition, not a reported case of harm.

Checked, no increase found1

Moderate

Adverse effects and safety tests in trials

Side effects and safety tests were about the same as on placebo in older adults and children with ADHD over up to 30 weeks.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 120 older adults, soy PS at 300 or 600 mg a day for 12 weeks did not change blood chemistry, blood counts, blood pressure, heart rate or adverse events compared with placebo [10]. In 157 older adults, PS-DHA at 300 mg a day for 15 weeks produced no differences in safety tests. In the 30-week open-label extension, resting diastolic blood pressure fell and weight rose slightly [11]. In 200 children with ADHD, 300 mg a day for 15 weeks and a 15-week extension showed no differences in safety tests, weight or growth [12].
Population
Older adults [10][11] and children with ADHD [12], up to 30 weeks.
Sources
[10], [11], [12]
Caveats
Trials of 30 weeks or less cannot show long-term or rare effects. [11] was funded by Enzymotec, whose employees were co-authors [11].

Claims tested and not found

  1. That soy-derived PS improves memory in older adults with memory complaints. At 300 or 600 mg a day for 12 weeks, no memory or cognitive measure differed from placebo [3].
  2. That PS reduces overall ADHD symptoms in children. Pooled overall symptom scores did not differ significantly from placebo [7].

Sources

  1. Crook TH, Tinklenberg J, Yesavage J, et al. Effects of phosphatidylserine in age-associated memory impairment. Neurology. 1991. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.41.5.644
  2. Cenacchi T, Bertoldin T, Farina C, et al. Cognitive decline in the elderly: a double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study on efficacy of phosphatidylserine administration. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 1993. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03324139
  3. Jorissen BL, Brouns F, Van Boxtel MP, et al. The Influence of Soy-derived Phosphatidylserine on Cognition in Age-Associated Memory Impairment. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2001. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415x.2001.11747356
  4. Vakhapova V, Cohen T, Richter Y, et al. Phosphatidylserine Containing omega-3 Fatty Acids May Improve Memory Abilities in Non-Demented Elderly with Memory Complaints: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1159/000310330
  5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Letter of enforcement discretion: Phosphatidylserine and Cognitive Dysfunction and Dementia. May 13, 2003. http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20171114183649/https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/LabelingNutrition/ucm072999.htm
  6. Engel RR, Satzger W, Günther W, et al. Double-blind cross-over study of phosphatidylserine vs. placebo in patients with early dementia of the Alzheimer type. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 1992. https://doi.org/10.1016/0924-977x(92)90025-4
  7. Bruton A, Nauman J, Hanes D, et al. Phosphatidylserine for the Treatment of Pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0432
  8. Starks MA, Starks SL, Kingsley M, et al. The effects of phosphatidylserine on endocrine response to moderate intensity exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-5-11
  9. Kingsley MI, Miller M, Kilduff LP, et al. Effects of Phosphatidylserine on Exercise Capacity during Cycling in Active Males. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2006. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000183195.10867.d0
  10. Jorissen BL, Brouns F, Van Boxtel MP, et al. Safety of Soy-derived Phosphatidylserine in Elderly People. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2002. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415021000033802
  11. Vakhapova V, Richter Y, Cohen T, et al. Safety of phosphatidylserine containing omega-3 fatty acids in non-demented elderly: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial followed by an open-label extension. BMC Neurology. 2011. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-11-79
  12. Manor I, Magen A, Keidar D, et al. Safety of phosphatidylserine containing omega3 fatty acids in ADHD children: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial followed by an open-label extension. European Psychiatry. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2012.11.001

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