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The effect of phosphatidylserine administration on memory and symptoms of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Author(s) -
Hirayama S.,
Terasawa K.,
Rabeler R.,
Hirayama T.,
Inoue T.,
Tatsumi Y.,
Purpura M.,
Jäger R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12090
Subject(s) - medicine , placebo , double blind , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , randomized controlled trial , clinical trial , placebo controlled study , psychiatry , physical therapy , alternative medicine , pathology
Background Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorder of childhood, affecting 3–5% of school‐age children. The present study investigated whether the supplementation of soy‐derived phosphatidylserine ( PS ), a naturally occurring phospholipid, improves ADHD symptoms in children. Methods Thirty six children, aged 4–14 years, who had not previously received any drug treatment related to ADHD , received placebo ( n = 17) or 200 mg day –1 PS ( n = 19) for 2 months in a randomised, double‐blind manner. Main outcome measures included: (i) ADHD symptoms based on DSM ‐ IV ‐ TR ; (ii) short‐term auditory memory and working memory using the Digit Span Test of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; and (iii) mental performance to visual stimuli ( GO / NO GO task). Results PS supplementation resulted in significant improvements in: (i) ADHD ( P < 0.01), AD ( P < 0.01) and HD ( P < 0.01); (ii) short‐term auditory memory ( P < 0.05); and (iii) inattention (differentiation and reverse differentiation, P < 0.05) and inattention and impulsivity ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in other measurements and in the placebo group. PS was well‐tolerated and showed no adverse effects. Conclusions PS significantly improved ADHD symptoms and short‐term auditory memory in children. PS supplementation might be a safe and natural nutritional strategy for improving mental performance in young children suffering from ADHD .