The Effects of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) on Brain Function and Cognition

The University of Texas System (UT)

Status: Completed

Conditions: NAD; Mild Cognitive Impairment

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Sugar Pill; Dietary Supplement: Nicotinamide riboside

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT02942888

HSC20160350H

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Niagen (nicotinamide riboside, vitamin B3), on NAD levels, brain function including cognition and blood flow in people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Full description

Niagen is a patented formula which is the first and only commercially available form of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). It has been proven in basic science studies as a highly effective NAD booster, but it also works as a vitamin B3 supplement. NAD helps pass energy from glucose to other pathways in the cell. Niagen (Nicotinamide Riboside, vitamin B3) is one of the most effective NAD+ precursors to support cellular health.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Niagen (nicotinamide riboside, vitamin B3), on NAD levels, brain function including cognition and blood flow in people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Enrollment: 46 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Previously diagnosed with MCI based on inclusion criteria of Texas Alzheimer's Research Care and Consortium (TARCC) study (IRB: HSC20090535H). We are enrolling both genders, all races and ethnic groups.
• Two week washout period for participants who were taking opioids or a dose of niacin over 200mg

Exclusion criteria

• Previously considered as healthy individuals without a MCI or Alzheimer's disease diagnosis based on exclusion criteria of the TARCC study (IRB: HSC20090535H).
• Neurological, psychiatric or active systemic medical disease
• Diabetes
• Moderate or severe depression and/or anxiety as determined the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), respectively
• Diagnosis of dementia
• Hearing, vision, motor or language deficits
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Implantation of metal devices
• Administration of Alzheimer's drugs, anticholinergics, neuroleptics, anticonvulsants, opiates, systemic steroids, and mood-stabilizers.
• No opioid use while participating in study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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46 participants in 2 patient groups

Healthy control

Active Comparator group

Description:

Oral administration of NAD precursor, nicotinamide riboside (Niagen; Chromadex Inc.) Dosing will consist of 250mg (week 1), 500mg (week 2), 750mg (week 3), 1g (weeks 4-10). Controls will receive sugar pills.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Nicotinamide riboside

Dietary Supplement: Sugar Pill

MCI

Experimental group

Description:

Oral administration of NAD precursor, nicotinamide riboside (Niagen; Chromadex Inc.) Dosing will consist of 250mg (week 1), 500mg (week 2), 750mg (week 3), 1g (weeks 4-10).Controls will receive sugar pills.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Nicotinamide riboside

Dietary Supplement: Sugar Pill