A Phase 2 clinical trial investigating nicotinamide as a potential treatment for early Alzheimer's disease has yielded results indicating no clear benefit in reducing tau proteins. The study, known as the Nicotinamide as an Early Alzheimer's Disease Treatment (NEAT) trial, was led by Dr. Joshua Grill and the findings were published in Neurology. The trial aimed to assess whether nicotinamide could modify the progression of Alzheimer's disease by targeting tau pathology, a hallmark of the disease.
The NEAT trial enrolled participants with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. While the full details of the trial design and patient demographics are available in the Neurology publication, the primary outcome focused on changes in tau protein levels in the brain. The results indicated that nicotinamide did not demonstrate a significant reduction in tau proteins compared to the control group.
These findings suggest that nicotinamide may not be an effective therapeutic strategy for directly targeting tau pathology in early Alzheimer's disease. While nicotinamide has shown promise in other contexts, its impact on tau protein levels in this specific patient population was not significant. Further research is needed to explore alternative therapeutic targets and interventions for individuals with early Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association and other research organizations continue to support investigations into novel approaches for preventing and treating this devastating disease.
