In human neuroblastoma cell cultures, non-human
primates and human beings, L-serine is neuroprotective, acting
through a variety of biochemical and molecular mechanisms.
Although L-serine is generally classified as a non-essential ami-
no acid, it is probably more appropriate to term it as a
Bconditional non-essential amino acid^ since, under certain cir-
cumstances, vertebrates cannot synthesize it in sufficient quan-
tities to meet necessary cellular demands. L-serine is
biosynthesized in the mammalian central nervous system from
3-phosphoglycerate and serves as a precursor for the synthesis
of the amino acids glycine and cysteine. Physiologically, it has a
variety of roles, perhaps most importantly as a phosphorylation
site in proteins. Mutations in the metabolic enzymes that syn-
thesize L-serine have been implicated in various human dis-
eases. Dosing of animals with L-serine and human clinical trials
investigating the therapeutic effects of L-serine support the
FDA’s determination that L-serine is generally regarded as safe
(GRAS); it also appears to be neuroprotective. We here consider
the role of L-serine in neurological disorders and its potential as
a therapeutic agent.

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• L-Serine: a Naturally-Occurring Amino Acid with Therapeutic Potential