Can NAD+ Help Treat Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease is affecting more people than ever, with 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older living with it today. By 2050, that number is expected to more than double. Globally, over 55 million people are dealing with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, creating challenges not just for them, but for their families too.

Right now, most treatments focus on managing symptoms, not fixing the root of the problem. That’s why there’s a growing push for new, more effective solutions—and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) might be one of them.

NAD+ is the coenzyme behind every cell’s ability to thrive – it drives energy production, repairs DNA, and governs how your genes are expressed. As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline, and this decrease is associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment—hallmarks of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

A growing body of research is examining the relationship between NAD+ and neurodegenerative conditions, with studies suggesting that maintaining healthy NAD+ levels could help shield against the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

So, what makes this coenzyme so compelling for keeping our minds sharp as we age?

In this article, you will discover:

• The critical relationship between NAD+ and neurodegeneration, exploring how this essential coenzyme impacts brain health at the cellular level
  
  
• Clinical evidence supporting NAD+ supplementation in Alzheimer’s disease, including detailed research on nicotinamide, NMN, and nicotinamide riboside
  
  
• Practical NAD+ treatment approaches, from IV therapy to scientifically-validated precursor compounds like Vitality ↑® NAD+ Booster
  
  
• The importance of testing and monitoring NAD+ levels to proactively support cognitive health and prevent decline

The Link Between NAD+ and Neurodegeneration

Your cells rely on NAD+ like a conductor relies on their baton – the coenzyme coordinates numerous biological processes with precision that determines how well your body functions at its most fundamental level.

As we age, NAD+ levels in various tissues, including the brain, significantly decrease¹. This decline has been linked to the development of various age-related conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.²

NAD+ is essential for mitochondrial function and energy production. In neurodegenerative diseases, decreased NAD+ levels leads to multiple factors that contribute to neuronal death and axonal degeneration, hallmarks of these diseases:

• Impaired mitochondrial function³
• Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production⁴
• Compromised cellular energy metabolism⁵
• Impaired DNA repair mechanisms and reduced sirtuin activity⁶

The decline in NAD+ levels during aging and neurodegeneration is primarily due to:

• Increased NAD+ consumption by enzymes such as CD38 and PARPs
• Reduced expression of NAMPT, a key enzyme in the NAD+ salvage pathway
• Activation of SARM1, a recently discovered NAD+ hydrolase that can rapidly deplete neuronal NAD+ levels⁷

Perhaps most intriguingly, reduction in NAD+ levels occurs before the onset of neurodegenerative symptoms, suggesting it may contribute to disease progression rather than being merely a consequence⁸.

Clinical Evidence for NAD+ in Alzheimer’s Disease

As Alzheimer’s disease (AD) becomes increasingly prevalent, researchers are exploring innovative therapies like NAD+ precursors to combat this devastating condition. But is NAD+ a potential treament for Alzheimer’s or just another overhyped trend? Let’s look at the evidence. 

Nicotinamide (NAM) vs Placebo

A 2021 review published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology⁹ provides a comprehensive overview of the systematic therapeutic evidence for NAD+ and its precursors in Alzheimer’s disease models.

NAM, the amide form of vitamin B3, showed significant potential in seven preclinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease treatment:

• NAM treatment improved spine density in neurons from AD mice, suggesting a neuroprotective role.¹⁰
  
  
• A controlled delivery system of NAM reduced cognitive impairment and decreased phosphorylated tau in early-stage AD rats.¹¹
  
  
• NAM pretreatment reduced expression of genes associated with AD and increased SIRT1 in brain tissues.¹²
  
  
• NAM supplementation protected against Aβ-induced oxidative stress and reduced markers of cell death in rat AD models.¹³
  
  
• Long-term NAM treatment improved cognitive performance, preserved mitochondrial integrity, and reduced AD pathology in mice.¹⁴
  
  
• NAM reduced phosphorylated tau and prevented cognitive deficits in a mouse model of AD.¹⁵
  

More recently, a phase 2a proof-of-concept trial¹⁶ investigated the use of nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3 and NAD+ precursor) in early Alzheimer’s disease:

• 47 participants received either 1500 mg of nicotinamide twice daily or placebo for 12 months.
  
  
• Treatment resulted in significantly less change on the Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) compared to placebo.
  
  
• While not statistically significant, changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers favored nicotinamide.
  
  
• The therapy showed a safe profile with balanced adverse events.
  

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) vs Placebo

Outlined in the same 2021 review as above, NMN, a direct precursor to NAD+, has demonstrated efficacy in four AD models:

• NMN improved memory in transgenic nematode AD models through a mechanism dependent on mitophagy.¹⁷
  
  
• NMN treatment decreased Aβ production, synaptic loss, and inflammation in transgenic AD mice by inhibiting JNK activity.¹⁸
  
  
• In Aβ-injected rats, NMN improved cognitive function, reduced neuronal cell death, and decreased oxidative stress.¹⁹
  
  
• NMN reversed deficiencies in oxygen consumption and reduced levels of mutant APP in AD mice²⁰.
  

The most recent study, conducted by Fang et al. in 2019²¹, investigated the effects of NAD+ repletion on AD pathology using both animal models and human cell cultures.

The study found that NAD+ levels were significantly reduced in both the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of AD model mice. This depletion was associated with decreased activity of SIRT3, a NAD+-dependent deacetylase.

Restoring NAD+ levels through nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) administration:

• Normalized NAD+ levels
• Restored mitochondrial function
• Reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS)
• Decreased DNA damage
• Improved neuroplasticity
• Enhanced cognitive function in AD model mice

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) vs Placebo

A study by Xie et al. published in Metabolic Brain Disease in 2019²² provides important evidence for the potential benefits of NR supplementation in Alzheimer’s disease and aging.

• NR supplementation improved short-term spatial memory in aged mice and enhanced contextual fear memory in AD model mice.
  
  
• NR inhibited the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in AD model mice and reduced the migration of astrocytes to Aβ plaques.
  
  
• NR supplementation inhibited the activation of astrocytes in aged mice.
  
  
• NR decreased the elevation of serum nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) in aged mice, potentially indicating reduced inflammation.
  

Moreover, a 2020 review of the protective effects of NR against cognitive impairment²³ found that NR has shown the ability to:

• Inhibit the accumulation of pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease
  
  
• Improve learning and memory in various murine models for dementia
  
  
• Reduce DNA damage, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis
  
  
• Improve hippocampal synaptic plasticity in diabetic mice and an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model
  

The evidence paints an intriguing picture: declining NAD+ levels in brain cells appear to be a hallmark of aging and contribute significantly to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Perhaps most exciting is the prospect that a simple, safe vitamin-based intervention could help protect our aging brains. 

While more research is needed, the possibility of an accessible and affordable approach to neuroprotection offers hope in our ongoing fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

NAD Treatment Approaches

As we age and face increasing cognitive challenges, maintaining optimal NAD+ levels becomes an important piece of the puzzle for supporting brain health and potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Here’s a look at two primary treatment approaches to optimizing your NAD+ levels for cognitive function and neuroprotection.

NAD IV Therapy

While NAD+ IV therapy has gained popularity in recent years, its efficacy in treating Alzheimer’s disease remains largely unproven. Current evidence is limited to a single case report where one patient showed subjective improvements in memory and overall attitude. It’s important to understand that NAD+ IV infusion primarily increases extracellular NAD+ levels, without necessarily improving intracellular concentrations where the molecule’s beneficial effects primarily occur.

Moreover, patients should be aware of potential side effects associated with NAD+ IV therapy. The invasive nature of IV administration and the lack of comprehensive clinical studies make this approach less favorable compared to other available options for supporting cognitive health.

NAD+ Precursor Compounds

In contrast to IV therapy, NAD+ precursor compounds have demonstrated substantial promise in scientific research, as detailed in our previous section. These compounds work by providing the building blocks your body needs to naturally increase cellular NAD+ levels, potentially supporting cognitive function and neurological health.

For those seeking an evidence-based solution to optimize their NAD+ levels, our NAD boosting supplement Vitality ↑® offers a clinically validated formulation that combines proven NAD precursors NMN and nicotinamide with D-ribose and creatine monohydrate.

This synergistic blend represents a significant advancement in NAD+ supplementation. The carefully selected ingredients work together to:

• Enhance cellular NAD+ production
• Support comprehensive cellular regeneration
• Optimize energy metabolism
• Promote cellular repair mechanisms

What sets Vitality ↑® NAD+ Booster apart is its superior efficacy compared to individual NAD+ precursors. Users consistently report notable improvements in their overall health and performance after achieving optimized NAD+ levels through this comprehensive formulation.

The clinical validation behind this unique combination of ingredients makes Vitality ↑® NAD+ Booster an excellent choice for individuals looking to support their cognitive health and potentially reduce their risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Testing NAD+ Levels to Prevent Cognitive Decline

Just as regular health screenings help detect various medical conditions early, monitoring your NAD+ levels provides valuable insights into your cellular health—particularly in regions critical for cognitive function.

Research has established that declining NAD+ levels correlate strongly with cognitive deterioration and increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions. Think of NAD+ as your cells’ essential energy currency—when levels drop, cellular functions begin to falter, potentially contributing to:

• Reduced neural repair and maintenance
• Decreased energy production in brain cells
• Compromised DNA repair mechanisms
• Impaired cellular stress response

Our Intracellular NAD® Test offers a precise measurement of NAD+ levels where it matters most—inside your cells. Unlike conventional testing methods that may only capture extracellular NAD+, our innovative approach provides:

• Accurate measurement of cellular NAD+ concentrations
• Comprehensive analysis of your metabolic health
• Early detection of potential NAD+ deficiencies
• Personalized insights for optimization strategies

Don’t wait until cognitive changes become apparent. Understanding and optimizing your NAD+ levels today could play a role in maintaining your cognitive health tomorrow. Begin your journey toward optimal brain health with the Intracellular NAD Test—your window into cellular wellness and cognitive longevity.

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