title: The effect of D-serine administration on cognition and mood in older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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. 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  D-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).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  D-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.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.|Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Avellar
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.|Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scoriels
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Madeira
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vargas-Lopes
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dantas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alex C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Manhães
authors.affiliation: Integrated Unit for Prevention, Adventist Silvestre Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Homero
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.|Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rogerio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panizzutti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012694:Serine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012694:Serine
keywords: D-serine; Gerotarget; aging; cognition; glutamate metabolism; mood