Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors shows mostly positive effects on cognitive impairment in animal models, but properly controlled clinical research in humans is needed.
Does supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors prevent cognitive decline across various disease contexts?
NAD+ precursor supplementation shows promise for preserving cognitive function primarily in animal models, but requires properly controlled clinical trials to determine its impact on human cognitive health.
The preservation of cognitive ability by increasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels through supplementation with NAD+ precursors has been identified as a promising treatment strategy for a number of conditions; principally, age-related cognitive decline (including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia), but also diabetes, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Candidate factors have included NAD+ itself, its reduced form NADH, nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and niacin (or nicotinic acid). This review summarises the research findings for each source of cognitive impairment for which NAD+ precursor supplementation has been investigated as a therapy. The findings are mostly positive but have been made primarily in animal models, with some reports of null or adverse effects. Given the increasing popularity and availability of these factors as nutritional supplements, further properly controlled clinical research is needed to provide definitive answers regarding this strategy’s likely impact on human cognitive health when used to address different sources of impairment.
Jared M. Campbell (2022) conducted a review in Cognitive decline. NAD+ and its precursors was evaluated. Supplementation with NAD+ and its precursors shows mostly positive effects on cognitive impairment in animal models, but properly controlled clinical research in humans is needed.