Ontology highlight
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.
SUBMITTER: Avellar M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4914255 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Avellar Marcos M Scoriels Linda L Madeira Caroline C Vargas-Lopes Charles C Marques Priscila P Dantas Camila C Manhães Alex C AC Leite Homero H Panizzutti Rogerio R
Oncotarget 20160301 11
<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>D-serine administration improved performance in the Groton Maze learning test of spatial memo ...[more]