Research suggests that phosphatidylserine may offer modest benefits for certain ADHD-related symptoms in children, particularly inattention and some aspects of behavioral dysregulation, with the most consistent signals emerging from randomized controlled trials and a meta-analysis that together found statistically significant but generally modest improvements, especially when phosphatidylserine is combined with omega-3 fatty acids like DHA or EPA. Studies indicate that this combined form may outperform phosphatidylserine alone, and a network meta-analysis ranking multiple supplements placed phosphatidylserine among those with stronger signals for attention improvement. However, the evidence has meaningful limitations: the overall quality of studies is rated as low, sample sizes are often small, and one head-to-head trial found that phosphatidylserine did not improve core ADHD symptoms as effectively as an established medication, though it did show some benefit for broader behavioral difficulties; additionally, a 2024 trial in children with both epilepsy and ADHD found no benefit, and a case report raised caution about combining these supplements with stimulant medications in children. The existing body of evidence is preliminary and does not yet support firm clinical conclusions, meaning individuals considering phosphatidylserine for ADHD support should consult a qualified healthcare provider before doing so.
Citations from PubMed and preprint sources. Match score (0-100) reflects automated search ranking, not clinical appraisal.
| Title | Type | Year | Direction | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphatidylserine for the Treatment of Pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperacti... | Meta-analysis | 2021 | Supports | 97 |
| The effect of phosphatidylserine administration on memory and symptoms of att... | RCT | 2014 | Supports | 97 |
| Differential cognitive effects of DHA-enriched and standard phosphatidylserin... | Other | 2026 | Supports | 95 |
| The effect of phosphatidylserine containing Omega3 fatty-acids on attention-d... | RCT | 2012 | Supports | 95 |
| The effect of phosphatidylserine on behavioral problems in children with atte... | RCT | 2026 | Mixed | 90 |
| Phosphatidylserine enriched with polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acid supplementati... | RCT | 2024 | Mixed | 90 |
| Correlation between changes in blood fatty acid composition and visual sustai... | RCT | 2008 | Supports | 85 |
| Safety and efficacy of antioxidant therapy in children and adolescents with a... | Meta-analysis | 2024 | Supports | 82 |
| Safety of phosphatidylserine containing omega3 fatty acids in ADHD children: ... | RCT | 2013 | Supports | 80 |
| Recurrent Suicidality Following Rechallenge with Phosphatidylserine and Citic... | Other | 2025 | — | 75 |
| Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behavior, and mood: clinical findings and ... | Review | 2007 | Supports | 70 |
| Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: rationale for it... | Review | 2000 | Supports | 60 |