Intravenous Administration of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Improves Cognitive Performance in Human Subjects: Implications for Clinical Populations

• Published in: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Vol. 102; no. 10; p. e42
• Main Authors: Gibson, Susan Broom, Mestayer, Richard, Berg, Jade, Grant, Ross, Dyess, Garrett
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.10.2021
• Subjects: Cognitive Function; Intravenous Administration Human Subjects; Nicotinamide-Adenine Dinucleotide; Nicotinamide-Adenine Dinucleotide; Intravenous Administration Human Subjects; Cognitive Function
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.07.585
• ISSN: 0003-9993

This pilot study was part of a larger study aimed at characterizing the pharmacokinetic profile of intravenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and measured cognitive performance following IV NAD+ in healthy male subjects. We hypothesized that IV NAD+ would improve cognitive performance scores as compared to baseline performance. Randomized, controlled study. Private mental health treatment center located in Springfield, LA. Fifteen healthy male participants (4 Saline/11 IV NAD+) between the ages of 30-55 met inclusion criteria. Participants received 5 consecutive days of IV NAD+ (750 mg/day) or saline infusions Researchers used the MicroCog™ Assessment of Cognitive Function to measure cognitive abilities on three levels: (Level 1) Attention, reaction time, memory, reasoning and spatial processing; (Level 2) Information processing speed and accuracy; and (Level 3) Global cognitive functioning and global cognitive proficiency. Participants completed baseline assessment (DAY 0) and repeated the task after the end of the IV infusion protocol (DAY 6). No differences between SAL and NAD+ groups were noted on DAY 0 in any of the 8 subtests evaluated. However, groups showed differences in the magnitude of improvement over days compared to their respective baselines. The NAD+ group reached significance on 6/8 tests, while the SAL group showed significant improvement on 2/8 tests. The findings when compared to respective baseline performance scores indicated a greater magnitude of change over and above “practice effects”. These results combined with case reports in Parkinson's disease patients suggest that implementation of a standardized cognitive assessment is a practical and effective way to establish efficacy of IV NAD+ treatment for clinical conditions involving cognitive impairment Dr. R. Mestayer is a director of NAD+ Research Inc., and medical director of the Springfield Wellness Center that uses IV NAD+ as a clinical therapy. Dr. Broom-Gibson received consulting fees from NAD+ Research Inc.