Phosphatidylserine

Class

Phospholipid dietary supplement

Mechanism

Key component of neuronal cell membranes; supports membrane fluidity, cell signaling, and modulates neurotransmitter release (acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine)

FDA-Approved Use

None

Off-Label Use

Cognitive enhancement in aging, mild cognitive impairment, dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-stroke cognitive impairment

Formulation

Oral capsules and tablets (over-the-counter supplement)

Titration

100 mg p.o. twice or three times daily; titrate as tolerated or needed

Dose Range

100–300 mg/day divided doses

Kinetics

Orally absorbed; bioavailability and half-life data limited

Common AEs

Insomnia (especially if taken late in day), gastrointestinal upset, rare allergic reactions

Serious/Rare AEs

Rare hypersensitivity

Monitoring

None routinely needed; observe for tolerability

Black Box Warning

None

Considerations

May modestly improve memory, executive function, and processing speed in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline. Potential utility in stress-related cognitive dysfunction and as adjunctive therapy with omega-3 fatty acids.