TL;DR

  • A 2013 trial found that 200 mg/day phosphatidylserine for 2 months improved short-term auditory memory, attention, and impulsivity in children aged 4–14 with ADHD. PubMed

  • More recent research (2021) including a meta-analysis of RCTs shows PS (200-300 mg/day) significantly reduces inattention symptoms vs placebo. PubMed+1

  • Effect sizes for hyperactivity / impulsivity are smaller and less consistent. PubMed

  • Quality of evidence is moderate to low; no major safety concerns reported in the trials.

The 2013 Trial: Early Evidence

A study in Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2013; DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12090) involved 36 drug-naïve children aged 4-14 with ADHD. Participants took soy-derived phosphatidylserine for 2 months (200 mg/day).

  • Significant improvements were observed in ADHD symptoms (attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity), especially short-term auditory memory. PubMed

  • The placebo group did not show similar improvements.

  • PS was well-tolerated with no major side effects. PubMed

Updated Evidence (2021 Meta-Analysis and Beyond)

Since then, several important studies provide more clarity:

  • Bruton et al. (2021): “Phosphatidylserine for the Treatment of Pediatric ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
    This review examined RCTs through 2020. In total, 216 children were included in meta-analysis across several studies.

    • Finding: PS supplementation at 200-300 mg/day showed a statistically significant effect on inattention (effect size ~0.36; 95% CI: 0.07-0.64). PubMed

    • The effects on overall ADHD symptoms, and hyperactivity/impulsivity, were positive trends but not statistically significant. PubMed

  • Overview on PS function (Chen et al., 2023)
    A functional review that summarized ADHD trials among others, confirming improvements in short-term auditory memory and attention with PS supplementation in children. Also discussed source (soy, etc.), formulation, and safety. ScienceDirect

What It Means for Practice

Here’s how to put this into practical terms:

  • Dose used in trials: Generally 200-300 mg/day of phosphatidylserine; the 2013 trial used 200 mg. PubMed+1

  • Duration: Effectiveness appears after ~2 months or longer; some studies track up to 8-12 weeks.

  • Strongest effect: Inattention symptoms; memory recall improvements (especially auditory, short-term).

  • Less clear: Effects on hyperactivity / impulsivity are weaker or inconsistent across studies.

  • Safety: No significant adverse effects reported in child trials so far, but evidence is still limited. Always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider.

FAQ

Q: Can phosphatidylserine treat ADHD, or just improve some symptoms?
It is not a stand alone treatment. Studies show PS can improve certain symptoms (notably inattention and memory), but it’s supplemental / adjunctive, not core treatment.

Q: What kinds of ADHD symptoms respond best to PS?
Inattention and memory (especially auditory short-term memory) tend to improve more than hyperactivity or impulsivity. PubMed+1

Q: Is PS safe for children?
Yes, the existing trials have reported good tolerance and no serious side effects at the doses used (200-300 mg/day), though long-term safety data remains limited. PubMed+1

Q: Where is PS found?
Typically in soy-derived supplement form. Some natural foods contain phosphatidylserine (e.g. fish organ meats, soy lecithin), but supplement studies most often use standardized PS.

References:

  • Hirayama, S., et al. (2013). “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial …” Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. PubMed

  • Bruton, A., Nauman, J., Hanes, D., Gard, M., Senders, A. (2021). Phosphatidylserine for the Treatment of Pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2020.0432. PubMed+1

  • Chen, J., et al. (2023). “Phosphatidylserine: An overview on functionality, ADHD symptoms, and safety.” ScienceDirect