Summary
D-Serine is an amino acid found in the brain. Derived from glycine, d-serine is a neuromodulator, meaning it regulates the activities of neurons.
D-Serine supplementation can reduce symptoms of cognitive decline. It is also able to reduce symptoms of diseases characterized by reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) signaling, which includes cocaine dependence and schizophrenia.
D-Serine’s effect on schizophrenia is well researched, and though it shows promise, it is also unreliable, since d-serine does not always reach the blood after supplementation. Sarcosine may be a more reliable treatment.
D-Serine is a coagonist at NDMA receptors, which means it improves the effects of other compounds that bind with the receptor. These compounds include glutamate and NMDA itself.
D-Serine is often categorized as a nootropic.
What are other names for D-Serine
- Glycine or Sarcosine (similar in mechanisms)
- Phosphatidylserine (a phospholipid containing L-serine)
Dosage information
The usual dose used in D-serine studies is 30 mg/kg of bodyweight. This correlates to an approximate dose range of 2,045 – 2,727 mg for people between 150 and 200 lbs. This dose appears to be the minimal effective dose for improving cognition in people suffering from a variety of diseases.
Preliminary evidence suggests that doubling or quadrupling the dose to 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg, respectively, will cause additional benefits for people suffering from schizophrenia.
Examine Database: D-Serine
Research Breakdown
Examine Database References
- Schizophrenia symptoms - Tsai G, Yang P, Chung LC, Lange N, Coyle JTD-serine added to antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry.(1998 Dec 1)
- Schizophrenia symptoms - Weiser M, Heresco-Levy U, Davidson M, Javitt DC, Werbeloff N, Gershon AA, Abramovich Y, Amital D, Doron A, Konas S, Levkovitz Y, Liba D, Teitelbaum A, Mashiach M, Zimmerman YA multicenter, add-on randomized controlled trial of low-dose d-serine for negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophreniaJ Clin Psychiatry.(2012 Jun)
- Schizophrenia symptoms - Lane HY, Chang YC, Liu YC, Chiu CC, Tsai GESarcosine or D-serine add-on treatment for acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyArch Gen Psychiatry.(2005 Nov)
- Schizophrenia symptoms - Heresco-Levy U, Javitt DC, Ebstein R, Vass A, Lichtenberg P, Bar G, Catinari S, Ermilov MD-serine efficacy as add-on pharmacotherapy to risperidone and olanzapine for treatment-refractory schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry.(2005 Mar 15)
- Schizophrenia symptoms - Lane HY, Lin CH, Huang YJ, Liao CH, Chang YC, Tsai GEA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison study of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) and D-serine add-on treatment for schizophreniaInt J Neuropsychopharmacol.(2010 May)
- Schizophrenia symptoms - Kantrowitz JT, Malhotra AK, Cornblatt B, Silipo G, Balla A, Suckow RF, D'Souza C, Saksa J, Woods SW, Javitt DCHigh dose D-serine in the treatment of schizophreniaSchizophr Res.(2010 Aug)
- Reaction Time - Levin R, Dor-Abarbanel AE, Edelman S, Durrant AR, Hashimoto K, Javitt DC, Heresco-Levy UBehavioral and cognitive effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor co-agonist D-serine in healthy humans: initial findingsJ Psychiatr Res.(2015 Feb)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms - Heresco-Levy U, Vass A, Bloch B, Wolosker H, Dumin E, Balan L, Deutsch L, Kremer IPilot controlled trial of D-serine for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorderInt J Neuropsychopharmacol.(2009 Oct)
- Parkinson's Disease Symptoms - Gelfin E, Kaufman Y, Korn-Lubetzki I, Bloch B, Kremer I, Javitt DC, Heresco-Levy UD-serine adjuvant treatment alleviates behavioural and motor symptoms in Parkinson's diseaseInt J Neuropsychopharmacol.(2012 May)