ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (Online): Researchers estimate that more than 10 million people around the world have Parkinson\u2019s disease, making it the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer\u2019s disease.
\nThere is currently no cure for Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
Medications, lifestyle changesTrusted Source, and sometimes surgery are used to manage symptoms through the disease\u2019s stages.<\/p>\n
Over the past few years, researchers have also looked at nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) \u2014 an important molecule that helps the body create energy \u2014 as a possible treatment for Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
Previous research suggests people with Parkinson\u2019s may have a NAD+ deficiencyTrusted Source, and increasingTrusted Source NAD+ levels may have a positive effect.<\/p>\n
Now, a phase 1 clinical trial has found that a high dose supplementation of nicotinamide ribosideTrusted Source (NR) \u2014 a source of vitamin B3 and precursor to NAD+ \u2014 increased whole blood NAD+ levels and expanded the NAD+ metabolomeTrusted Source in people with Parkinson\u2019s disease, and may be associated with clinical symptomatic improvement for those with the condition.
\nThe research is still in its early stages, and it remains to be conclusively proven that NR supplementation can improve the symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease.
\nThe study was recently published in the journal Nature CommunicationsTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
What are NR and NAD+?
\nAccording to Prof. Charalampos Tzoulis, professor of neurology and neurogenetics at the University of Bergen and Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen Norway, and co-lead author of this study, NR is a form of vitamin B3 and a precursor of NAD+.<\/p>\n
\u201cNAD+ is an essential coenzyme that plays a vital role in multiple cellular processes, including mitochondrial function \u2014 the powerhouses of the cell \u2014 and cellular energy metabolism, regulation of gene expression, and DNA repair,\u201d Dr. Tzoulis explained to Medical News Today.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch has shown that abnormal energy metabolism, due to dysfunction in the mitochondria, occurs in the Parkinson\u2019s disease brain and is believed to play a role in the initiation and progression of the disease,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Dr. Daniel Truong, a neurologist and medical director of the Truong Neuroscience Institute at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, who was not involved in this study, told MNT that NAD+ levels tend to decline with ageTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome potential benefits and uses associated with NR include anti-aging, energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, [and] DNA repair,\u201d Dr. Truong detailed. \u201cSome research suggests that NR might have neuroprotective properties.\u201d<\/p>\n
NR supplementation may help in Parkinson\u2019s
\nThis study was part of the ChromaDex External Research Program (CERP\u2122), which donated ChromaDex\u2019s patented NR ingredient, Niagen\u00ae, for the advancement of this research.<\/p>\n
The phase 1 clinical trial included 20 study participants with idiopathic Parkinson\u2019s disease. Participants received either 3,000 milligrams (mg) of NR in oral supplement form, or a placebo each day for 4 consecutive weeks.<\/p>\n
Study participants were then assessed based on clinical and molecular measures, an electrocardiogram, and the severity of Parkinson\u2019s disease symptoms through the MDS-UPDRS rating scale.
\nResearchers found that NR significantly increased NAD+ levels and modified the NAD+ metabolome in whole blood, compared to those who received the placebo.<\/p>\n
Daily supplementation \u2018safe\u2019 in the short term
\nThe study also reportedly found the high-dose NR was safe and well-tolerated by study participants, and was associated with a significant improvement of clinical symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease, measured by the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson\u2019s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), suggesting augmenting NAD+ levels may have a symptomatic anti-Parkinson\u2019s effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe study showed that treatment with high dose NR 3 gr [grams] daily is short-term safe for a month and may, therefore, be explored in larger clinical trials,\u201d Dr. Tzoulis said. \u201cIt must be stressed that our study does not establish general safety for this NR dose, or whether it is safe to take for any period longer than 30 days. This remains to be determined in longer studies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, the study showed that NR 3 gr daily leads to a pronounced increase in blood NAD levels and related metabolites, without causing any adverse metabolic effects after 30 days,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
However, he cautioned that, \u201c[w]hile NR treatment was associated with a small clinical improvement in this study, this cannot be interpreted as a sign of clinical effect, as the study was not designed to detect clinical improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Would higher doses of NR be safe?
\nOne of the main purposes of this study was to determine the short-term safety of 3,000 mg NR daily.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo harness the full therapeutic potential of NR, we need to explore higher-dose regimens,\u201d Dr. Tzoulis said. \u201cThis study establishes the short-term safety of 3,000 mg NR daily and allows high-dose options to be explored in future therapeutic trials.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for conclusive proof on the therapeutic potential of NR in Parkinson\u2019s disease, we look forward to the results from our year-long NO-PARK phase 2\/3 study on 400 persons with Parkinson\u2019s disease, which is already ongoing at our Center and estimated to conclude by the end of 2024,\u201d he added. \u201cPublic information on the NO-PARK study can be viewed at neuro-sysmed.no and at clinicaltrials.gov.\u201d
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Larger, long-term studies needed
\nAfter reviewing this study, Dr. Rocco DiPaola, movement disorders neurologist at the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, told MNT his first reaction is that it offers a potential treatment that may help slow the progression of Parkinson\u2019s Disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere [are] currently no treatments that offer neuroprotection and this would be a treatment that may help prevent some of the long-term complications related to advancing disease.<\/p>\n
The current study was on a small scale and short duration to demonstrate safety. A large-scale trial with [a] longer duration of treatment would be necessary to further demonstrate safety and a neuroprotective benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 Dr. Rocco DiPaola
\nDr. Truong agreed, noting that \u201c[the findings are promising, but this is just one study, and its results need to be replicated and expanded upon in larger and longer-term trials, especially double-blind studies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am intrigued by the mechanism of action proposed in the study, namely the increase in NAD+ levels and its potential neuroprotective effects,\u201d he continued. \u201cThey would be interested in how this could be integrated into current treatment protocols for Parkinson\u2019s disease, considering the safety profile and patient tolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the current status of treating Parkinson\u2019s disease, any potential new therapeutic avenue is of interest,\u201d Dr. Truong added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea of a supplement that could improve clinical symptoms and potentially slow disease progression is particularly appealing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (Online): Researchers estimate that more than 10 million people around the world have Parkinson\u2019s disease, making it the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer\u2019s disease. There is currently no cure for Parkinson\u2019s disease. Medications, lifestyle changesTrusted Source, and sometimes surgery are […]<\/p>\n
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