Alzheimer's Treatment Prevents and Improves Neurological Damage on Mouse Model

A collaborative research effort between the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and ChromaDex has found Niagen effective in preventing neurological damage and improving cognitive and physical function in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

ChromaDex Founder and CEO, Frank Jaksch, shared in a press release, “We are pleased that our collaboration with NIH-NIA resulted in a significant peer reviewed publication in a prestigious journal. We are aware of two human trials on mild cognitive impairment that are in progress. Data from these studies should pave the way for additional human clinical trials.”

There is currently no treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that results in the loss of memory, judgement, and the ability to interact with others. Most incidences of the disease occur in patients with no family history of Alzheimer’s, hinting that the cause of the condition is based on genetic changes.

Also known as nicotinamide riboside (NR), Niagen is a member of the vitamin B3 family that provides cellular energy. The body converts NR into Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a molecule that converts the food we eat into energy necessary for cells to do basic functions.

Researchers developed a new mice model for the study that featured characteristics of human Alzheimer’s. Niagen was added to their drinking water over a 3-month period, resulting in reduced tangles in their brains, higher neuroplasticity, less DNA damage, increased production of new neurons from neuronal stem cells, and lower levels of neuronal damage and death.

Niagen also showed signs of improving damaged areas of the brain associated with dementia and increased NAD+ levels that support brain development. NAD controls cellular metabolism and energy production within the mitochondria. As people age, NAD levels and function begin to decline, resulting in dementia and loss of memory.

Low NAD levels have been linked to DNA repair deficiency and reductions in cellular energy which are contributors to Alzheimer’s disease.

There have been 3 published clinical trials of Niagen and the therapy is currently being tested in 11 Alzheimer’s disease treatment trials listed on clinicaltrials.gov. In a recently published study, one dose of NIAGEN increased NAD+ levels by 33% in 8 hours.

“We will continue to support research that validates NIAGEN® as a weapon against conditions associated with aging,” stated Robert N. Fried, President and Chief Operating Officer of ChromaDex in a press release.