Scientists say NAD+ could slow aging and fight Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
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Scientists say NAD+ could slow aging and fight Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Date:
March 24, 2026
Source:
University of Oslo, Ullevaal University Hospital
Summary:
A global team of leading scientists is zeroing in on a tiny but powerful molecule that could reshape how we age. Known as NAD⁺, it plays a crucial role in keeping our cells energized, repairing DNA, and maintaining overall health—but its levels steadily decline over time, potentially fueling diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Researchers are now exploring ways to boost NAD⁺ using compounds like NR and NMN, with early studies hinting at improvements in memory, metabolism, and physical function.
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A tiny molecule called NAD⁺ may hold the key to slowing aging and preventing diseases like Alzheimer’s. Credit: AI/ScienceDaily.com
Researchers from the University of Oslo (UiO), Akershus University Hospital (Ahus), and international collaborators have published a new expert review in Nature Aging. The paper brings together more than 25 scientists, including clinicians and leading experts in aging biology and metabolism, with a strong focus on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Their combined insights highlight a growing global effort to understand how this small molecule may support healthier aging and help protect against conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
NAD+ is often called a cell's "fuel regulator" because it plays a central role in producing energy, repairing DNA, and keeping cells working properly. However, NAD+ levels naturally decrease as people age. This decline has been linked to memory problems, reduced muscle strength, and a higher risk of age-related diseases.
"Fine-tuning NAD+ metabolism holds promise for delaying age-related health decline as well as disease such as premature ageing diseases," says Dr. Jianying Zhang, one of the lead authors. "But to truly unlock its potential, we need to better understand the right doses, long-term safety, and interindividual variability in response to NAD+ augmentation strategies."
NAD+ Supplements Show Early Promise in Clinical Trials
The review examines years of laboratory research and clinical studies exploring ways to raise NAD+ levels. Many of these approaches involve vitamin-like compounds such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Early findings are promising, with some trials reporting improvements in memory, physical movement, and metabolic health.
Even so, the researchers stress that larger and longer studies in patients are needed to confirm how effective these approaches are across different diseases.
Rising Interest and Debate Around NAD+ Therapies
The publication comes at a time of growing interest from both scientists and the public. Clinical trials are underway worldwide, including in Norway, to test NAD+ precursors like NR and NMN. At the same time, these compounds have entered a rapidly expanding global supplement market, leading to debate over which options work best and whether results seen in animal studies will translate to humans.
"This is why we believe the timing is right to share an expert opinion," says Dr. Evandro Fei Fang-Stavem, senior author and head of the Fang Lab at UiO and Ahus. "NAD+ is fundamental to life, yet there is still confusion and noise in the field about which supplements work best and how they should be used. Our article consolidates the evidence and provides a scientific roadmap to guide both ongoing research and future clinical use."
Deputy Head of the Institute of Clinical Medicine, Prof. Torbjørn Omland, MD, PhD, MPH, and a co-author of the paper says, "There is a knowledge gap on NAD+ and its clinical effects to basic researchers and clinicians, and this review paper provides the latest expert opinion to those who are interested in and are working in the field NAD+ research. This review will also provide relevant information to many NAD+-based clinical trials across a wide spectrum of clinical conditions, including neurological and cardiovascular disease."
Need for More Research and Global Collaboration
The authors emphasize that although NAD+-based supplements and therapies are being widely investigated, stronger collaboration and more rigorous clinical testing are essential. These steps will be critical to turn early findings into safe and effective treatments for aging and age-related diseases.
Other Norwegian contributors include Sofie Lautrup (UiO and Ahus), Hilde Loge Nilsen (OUS), Leiv Otto Watne (Ahus and UiO), Geir Selbæk (UiO and Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health), Mathias Ziegler (UiB), Ole-Bjørn Tysnes (UiB), and Charalampos Tzoulis (UiB). Additional authors are affiliated with the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Chiba University (Japan), Harvard Medical School (USA), and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging (USA