Abstract
BackgroundD-serine is an endogenous co-agonist of the N-Methyl D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) that plays a crucial role in cognition including learning processes and memory. Decreased D-serine levels have been associated with age-related decline in mechanisms of learning and memory in animal studies. Here, we asked whether D-serine administration in older adults improves cognition.ResultsD-serine administration improved performance in the Groton Maze learning test of spatial memory and learning and problem solving (F(3, 38)= 4.74, p = 0.03). Subjects that achieved higher increases in plasma D-serine levels after administration improved more in test performance (r2=−0.19 p = 0.009). D-serine administration was not associated with any significant changes in the other cognitive tests or in the mood of older adults (p > 0.05).MethodsFifty healthy older adults received D-serine and placebo in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design study. We studied the effect of D-serine administration on the performance of cognitive tests and an analogue mood scale. We also collected blood samples to measure D-serine, L-serine, glutamate and glutamine levels.ConclusionsD-serine administration may be a strategy to improve spatial memory, learning and problem solving in healthy older adults. Future studies should evaluate the impact of long-term D-serine administration on cognition in older adults.
Highlights
Normal aging is generally accompanied by a decline in several domains of cognitive function, which are significantly associated with functional limitations [13]
Impairments in executive functions are a major contributor to the functional limitation associated with aging [4,5,6,7]
This system plays a crucial role in cognitive functions via several receptors including the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor [9]
Summary
Normal aging is generally accompanied by a decline in several domains of cognitive function, which are significantly associated with functional limitations [13]. Impairments in executive functions are a major contributor to the functional limitation associated with aging [4,5,6,7]. The frontal cortex mediates executive function impairments, and the neural circuits that are vulnerable to aging are composed primarily of glutamatergic neurons [8]. This system plays a crucial role in cognitive functions via several receptors including the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor [9]. D-serine is an endogenous co-agonist of the N-Methyl D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) that plays a crucial role in cognition including learning processes and memory. We asked whether D-serine administration in older adults improves cognition
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