New clinical research in ataxia-telangiectasia patients finds nicotinamide riboside improved ataxia scores and increased antibody levels.
LA-based ChromaDex has shared findings from the first clinical study on nicotinamide riboside (NR) in children and highlighted improvements for prematurely aging patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT).
Longevity.Technology: Usually studies that impact longevity aren’t conducted in children for obvious reasons. But life-limiting conditions can affect people of all ages, and this study on the effects of NR on AT will hopefully progress research on this devastating disease. The study is interesting from an antiaging perspective as well; sufferers of AT demonstrate genomic instability, premature senescence and shortened telomeres, as well as immunodeficiency and neurodegeneration. These all correlate with aging, so if NR has promising results for AT, further research might add grist to its antiaging mill. We look forward to further findings being published in due course.
The promising findings from this clinical study were published in the peer-reviewed journal, Movement Disorders, conducted by Michèl A A P Willemsen MD, PhD of Radboud University Medical Center. The study investigated ChromaDex’s proprietary Niagen® ingredient (patented nicotinamide riboside) in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT), a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterised by premature aging, cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition. The study found that supplementation with NR improved ataxia scores and increased immunoglobulins, or antibodies, in the immune-compromised patients.
In addition to the findings, this was the first published clinical NR trial to include participants under the age of 18, examining the potential impact NR might have in children with AT.
“AT is a condition where children experience the negative effects of premature aging with a very limited life expectancy,” said Dr Andrew Shao, ChromaDex Senior Vice President of Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs. “The results of this study are promising for those living with AT and are consistent with previous preclinical research. We look forward to the continued clinical research exploring the impact of Niagen on age-related health declines [1].”
This study included 24 AT patients (15 males, 9 females), and 17 of the 24 were children under 18. The patients’ average age was 17.5 and no one in the study had previously supplemented with NR. The group received 25mg/kg body weight of NR per day for four consecutive months, followed by a two-month period without NR treatment. The effects of NR on ataxia (a group of disorders that affect coordination, balance and speech), dysarthria (a motor speech disorder), quality of life and laboratory parameters were analysed.
NR improved ataxia scores in patients and increased serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), or antibodies, which are important for protection against pathogens. Patients with AT are known to be immunodeficient with decreased serum immunoglobulins concentrations [2].
These results suggest that NAD+ boosting may be a potential therapeutic strategy for AT, however, further research needs to be conducted.
[1] https://investors.chromadex.com/news/news-details/2021/ChromaDex-Shares-Findings-from-First-Clinical-Study-on-Nicotinamide-Riboside-NR-in-Children-Highlighting-Improvements-for-Prematurely-Aging-Patients-with-Ataxia-Telangiectasia-AT/default.aspx
[2] https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.28788
