Scientific literature

Age-related deterioration of brain functions is a continuous process starting even in relatively young adults. This process dramatically affecting the quality of life of most of the elderly and adult populations in the modern age².

Brain functions that are affected include memory, such as remembering names and numbers, and learning abilities. In more acute cases, this deterioration is manifested as dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's disease (AD)). About 10% of people aged 65 years or older have mild cognitive impairment, and nearly 15% of them develop AD each year             (see Figure1).

Unfortunately no medication has been identified to address this condition. Thus, a nutritional strategy may answer part of this process effectively.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a widely used supplement, aimed to help adults slow down and improve age-related decline in cognitive capabilities,
such as memory, as described in two qualified health claims, recently approved by the US-FDA².

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a naturally occurring phospholipid,
which plays an important role in the normal functioning of the cell membranes, and especially that of human brain cell membranes.

Figure 2: A schematic diagram of PS

A maintenance of brain PS level was associated with normal and efficient signal transduction processes,
efficient glucose consumption, and other biological pathways that are crucial to ensure normal and healthy cognitive and mental functions^3-6.
In the past, PS for dietary supplements was extracted from bovine brains.
Currently obtained from enzymatically modified soybean lecithin (Soy-PS),
which has been commercially available as a dietary supplement since the early 1990's.

In human clinical studies^7-9, Soy-PS supplementation has been shown to assist against the symptoms of AAMI,
including reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, it has been found that Soy-PS may "turn back" the aging process.
As shown in figure 3, following 12 weeks of supplementation with 300 mg/day of Soy-PS, the "reversal" of the aging process amounted to nearly 14 years.
Improvements were exhibited in other capacities as well, including learning and remembering written information, recognition of persons, and memory of numbers.

Click to enlarge...

Additionally, Soy-PS may also benefit younger populations, including young adults seeking to maintain a sharp mind and control
stress as well as students seeking improvement of their learning abilities and performance^10,11.

The common recommended intake ranges between 100 mg and 300 mg per day. Usually, 4-6 weeks loading period of 300 mg/day, followed by a maintenance period of 100 mg/day.

1. Golomb, J.; Kluger, A.; Ferris, S. H. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2004, 6, 351-67

2. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ltr36.html

3. McDaniel, M. A.; Maier, S. F.; Einstein, G. O. Nutrition 2003, 19, 957-75

4. Mozzi, R.; Buratta, S.; Goracci, G. Neurochem Res 2003, 28, 195-214

5. Pepeu, G.; Pepeu, I. M.; Amaducci, L. Pharmacol Res 1996, 33, 73-80

6. Vance, J. E.; Steenbergen, R. Prog Lipid Res 2005, 44, 207-34

7. Crook, T. In Anti-Aging Medical Therapeutics,; Katz, RM, Goldman, Eds. 1998; Vol. 2, p 20-28

8. Gindin, Y. 1996

9. Schreiber, S.; Kampf-Sherf, O.; Gorfine, M.; Kelly, D.; Oppenheim, Y.; Lerer, B. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci 2000, 37, 302-7

10. Benton, D.; Donohoe, R. T.; Sillance, B.; Nabb, S. Nutr Neurosci 2001, 4, 169-78

11. Hellhammer, J.; Fries, E.; Buss, C.; Engert, V.; Tuch, A.; Rutenberg, D.; Hellhammer, D. Stress 2004, 7, 119-26