The Effects of Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation on Brain NAD+/NADH Ratio and Bioenergetics

The Effects of Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation on Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) Ratio and Bioenergetics

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of exogenously administered nicotinamide riboside (NR) on brain NAD+/NADH ratio and bioenergetics functions in healthy individuals using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) imaging.

The secondary aims are to investigate the change in brain PCr/ATP and creatine kinase enzyme rate after NR use. In addition, NAD+/NADH ratio, PCr/ATP and CK enzyme rate will be measured in the calf muscle, as secondary outcome measures.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age: 18-80 year-old
2. Male or female
3. Without psychiatric diagnosis according to a structured psychiatric interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V Axis I Disorders (SCID))
4. Without history of a psychotic disorder and/or mood disorder among parents, siblings, or children, as obtained via self-report only.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Significant medical or neurological illness.
2. Diagnosis diabetes mellitus (DM), uncontrolled hypertension (HTN), severe hypotension, coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome, glaucoma, liver impairment, decreased renal function, respiratory disorders, uncontrolled peptic ulcer disease.
3. Taking any other medications, including over the counter supplements with the exception of oral contraceptives for women
4. Pregnancy. Females of child-bearing age must be using an effective contraceptive method.
5. History of smoking, substance abuse or dependence.
6. Contraindication to MR scan (claustrophobia, cardiac pacemakers, metal clips and stents on blood vessels, artificial heart valves, artificial arms, hands, legs, etc., brain stimulator devices, implanted drug pumps, ear implants, eye implants or known metal fragments in eyes, exposure to shrapnel or metal filings, other metallic surgical hardware in vital areas, certain tattoos with metallic ink, certain transdermal patches, metal- containing intrauterine devices)
7. Medical condition that would prevent blood draws, including current anti-coagulant or anti-aggregant therapy, tendency for abnormal scarring (e.g. keloids).
8. Difficulty in swallowing capsules.