Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- Understanding NAD+ for brain health
- Tau protein’s role in decline
- Metabolic approach to cognition
What happens in your brain during the earliest stages of cognitive decline isn’t visible to the naked eye. By the time symptoms show up, the damage has often been building for years or even decades.
But recent studies have revealed promising findings about how we might slow or even halt cognitive decline—before symptoms show up. The study tested whether an NAD+ booster called nicotinamide riboside (NR) could influence brain aging in those with early cognitive decline.
The results offer a glimpse into a potential new approach to addressing Alzheimer’s disease at its roots: NAD+.
Understanding the Tau Connection
At the heart of this research is a protein called tau.
In healthy brains, tau helps stabilize structures called microtubules in neurons, an essential component of cells that assist in everything from cell division to cell shape.
But in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, tau proteins become abnormally modified, detach from microtubules, and begin to build up inside cells.
This buildup isn’t a minor detail in the story of cognitive decline. It’s a central character.
Tau concentrations are typically 2 to 4.4 times higher in patients with Alzheimer’s disease compared to cognitively healthy individuals. The more tau builds up, the faster cognitive abilities decline.
What makes this new research particularly interesting? It characterizes Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline as a metabolic issue that demands a metabolic solution. That’s where NAD+ comes in.
The NAD+ Intervention
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in all living cells. It plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism and energy production.
As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline. This decline has been connected to various aspects of aging, including neurodegenerative diseases.
The study administered 1 gram of nicotinamide riboside (NR) daily for 8 weeks to patients showing early signs of cognitive decline. NR serves as a precursor to NAD+, effectively boosting NAD+ levels in the body.
The researchers then measured multiple biomarkers related to brain aging and cognitive health, with particular attention to tau protein levels.
Significant Findings on Tau Buildup
Over the 8-week period, participants receiving the placebo experienced an 18% increase in tau protein accumulation. This progression aligns with the typical trajectory of early-stage cognitive decline.
In contrast, the group receiving the NAD+ booster showed a reduction in tau protein buildup during the same period.
This difference suggests that NAD+ supplementation might slow or even temporarily reverse one of the key molecular hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. As researcher Christopher Martens explained, “When NAD+ goes up in these vesicles, we see an association with some of the biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease. Particularly, in people where we saw an increase in NAD+, we also saw changes in biomarkers like amyloid beta and tau, which are both related to Alzheimer’s disease.”
Beyond Tau: The Bigger Picture
While the tau findings are promising, it’s important to note that the study did not detect immediate improvements in cognitive function tests. This isn’t entirely surprising.
Cognitive decline occurs gradually over years. Even if an intervention successfully addresses the underlying biology, measurable improvements in cognitive performance might take longer to manifest.
This pattern has been observed in other studies as well. In a 10-week study of NR supplementation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, researchers found that “NR was well tolerated and significantly increased NAD+ and associated metabolites in the blood. NR improved fMRI and physical function measurements, but differences in cognition were not achieved in this small pilot study.”
The brain’s architecture changes slowly, both in decline and in recovery. It’s unclear whether any study could show improved cognitive function in such a short time. Still, the findings of this study show promise for those at risk of cognitive decline.
NAD+ for Brain Health: The Metabolic Approach
What makes this research particularly valuable is its focus on cellular metabolism as an intervention point for neurodegenerative disease.
Traditional approaches to Alzheimer’s disease have often targeted the proteins themselves – trying to clear amyloid plaques or tau tangles after they’ve formed. These approaches have yielded disappointing results in clinical trials.
The metabolic approach represented by NAD+ boosters takes a different angle. Instead of addressing the proteins directly, it aims to support the cellular energy systems that might prevent their problematic accumulation in the first place.
This shift in perspective could open new avenues for intervention at earlier stages of cognitive decline.
The Road Ahead
The research on NAD+ for brain health is an exciting step toward understanding how our metabolism might impact aging in the brain. In this recent study, scientists found that boosting NAD+ levels may reduce the buildup of tau proteins, one of the key players in Alzheimer’s disease. That’s a big deal.
The findings suggest that metabolic interventions like NAD+ boosters might help address some of the underlying biology of cognitive decline. However, brain health likely requires a multifaceted approach that addresses various aspects of aging biology while supporting overall health.The tau protein findings from this study represent one potentially important piece of a much larger puzzle.
While we still have a lot to learn, this early evidence suggests that targeting NAD+ could one day be part of a bigger plan for protecting our brains as we age.
Of course, turning promising lab results into real-world treatments takes time. But findings like these give us hope, and bring us one step closer to better ways of keeping our minds sharp for the long haul.
Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.