Vitamin E stimulates phosphatidylserine synthesis in the hippocampus and improves cognitive function at old age

Aged humans and animals demonstrate cognitive decline. Improvement of short-term memory performance in aged beagles with a nutraceutical supplement containing phosphatidylserine (PS) and vitamin E has been demonstrated. The purpose of the present study was to examine if alpha-tocopherol acetate could alter PS metabolism in the hippocampus and to improve cognitive function of aged rats. Intragastric administration of alpha-tocopherol acetate to 24-month-old rats for 14 days resulted in increase of newly synthesized PS level in the hippocampus of experimental animals as compared with control rats. At the same time, there was a decrease in [14C] phosphatidylcholine content in the hippocampus of experimental rats with respect to controls. The changes in phospholipids levels seen in the hippocampus of experimental animals due to alpha-tocopherol acetate administration were associated with increased number of active avoidances and decreased latent period of avoidances on acquisition of a conditioned reflex in a shuttle box. The data obtained in the work provide evidence that alpha-tocopherol acetate is a powerful modulator of phospholipids metabolism in the hippocampus and its function at old age.