Effects of phosphatidylserine therapy in geriatric patients with depressive disorders

The effects of phosphatidylserine (BC‐PS) on cognitive, affective and behavioural symptoms were studied in a group of 10 elderly women with depressive disorders. Patients were treated with placebo for 15 days, followed by BC‐PS (300 mg/day) for 30 days. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Gottfries‐Bråne‐Steen Rating Scale, Nurse's Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation and Buschke Selective Reminding Test were administered before and after placebo and after BC‐PS therapy, to monitor changes in depression, memory and general behaviour. At the same time, basal plasma levels of noradrenaline, MHPG, DOPAC, HVA and 5‐HIAA, and GH/β‐endorphin/β‐lipotropin responses to clonidine stimulation were measured. BC‐PS induced consistent improvement of depressive symptoms, memory and behaviour. No changes in amine metabolite levels or in hormonal responses to α 2 ‐adrenoceptor stimulation were observed.