Phosphatidylserine for Cognitive Function

Research suggests that phosphatidylserine (PS) may support several aspects of cognitive function, including memory, attention, and processing speed, with a 2015 review concluding that supplemental PS can be absorbed and may help counteract age-related changes in nerve cell membranes, and a 2011 controlled study in young men finding improved math performance before exercise following PS supplementation. A 2017 narrative review similarly grouped PS among phospholipids associated with potential cognitive benefits, though it stopped short of strong causal claims. However, the evidence base has notable limitations: the most directly relevant clinical trial, conducted in 2023, tested PS only as part of a multi-ingredient combination product and found improvements on some computerized cognitive measures but not on others, including self-reported memory or a key brain protein marker; similarly, a 2025 trial using a multi-ingredient supplement containing PS showed cognitive benefits in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, but the individual contribution of PS could not be separated from the other ingredients. Studies indicate that while the mechanistic rationale for PS is reasonably well-articulated — relating to its role in neuronal membrane integrity and neurotransmission — the current human trial evidence is limited in quantity, often confounded by combination formulas, and generally mixed in scope, meaning stronger and more isolated evidence would be needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.