NR-SAFE: Safety of High-dose Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) in Parkinson's Disease

NR-SAFE is a double-blinded randomized safety study aiming to determine the safety and tolerability of nicotinamide riboside (NR) at a daily dose of 3000mg, in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).

The investigators recently reported the results of the NADPARK study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03816020), a phase I randomized, double-blinded trial, assessing the tolerability, cerebral bioavailability and molecular effects of NR therapy, 1000mg daily, in PD. The NADPARK study showed that NR 1000mg daily was well tolerated and led to a significant, but variable, increase in cerebral NAD levels (measured by 31phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy, 31P-MRS) and related metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). NR recipients showing increased brain NAD levels exhibited altered cerebral metabolism, measured by 18fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and this was associated with mild clinical improvement. The results of the NADPARK trial nominate NR as a potential neuroprotective therapy for PD, warranting further investigation in larger trials.

It is plausible that any beneficial effects of NR in PD may be dose-dependent and more pronounced at higher doses. NR doses of up to 2000mg daily have been tested in healthy humans with no signs of toxicity. However, the safety and tolerability of even higher doses is untested. To enable clinical studies assessing higher doses, the investigators will assess the safety and tolerability of an oral dose of 3000 mg NR daily.

NR-SAFE will recruit 20 participants with PD and randomize them 1:1 to either NR 3000mg daily or placebo for a total duration of 4 weeks.

NR-SAFE is a double-blinded randomized safety study aiming to determine the safety and tolerability of nicotinamide riboside (NR) at a daily dose of 3000mg, in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Individuals with PD (n = 20) will be recruited starting April 2022. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either NR 3000mg daily (1500mg x 2) or placebo per os for a total duration of 4 week. Both the participants and the investigators will be blinded.

Primary Objective:

To determine the safety of oral NR 3000mg daily for a period of 4 weeks in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Safety is defined as the absence of clinically significant NR-associated moderate or severe adverse events (AE).

Secondary Objectives:

1. Determine whether oral NR 3000 mg daily is associated with mild AE.
2. Assess the effects of oral NR 3000 mg daily on the NAD metabolome in blood and urine.
3. Assess the effects of oral NR 3000 mg daily on clinical severity of PD, measured by UPDRS.

Exploratory Objectives:

1. Assess the effects of oral NR 3000 mg daily on serum homocysteine levels.
2. Assess the effects of oral NR 3000 mg daily on fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels.

Procedures:

After the baseline visit, participants will be reassessed in person on day 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 by one of the neurologists involved in the study and by telephone on day 3 and 35 by the study nurse. Participants will be screened for any adverse effects on each of these consultations. Drawing of blood samples will be performed on baseline and day 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Clinical examination and measurement of vital parameters will be performed on baseline and on day 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Primary Outcome:

Incidence of treatment-associated moderate and severe AEs.

Secondary Outcomes:

1. Between-group difference in treatment associated mild AEs.
2. Between-group difference in changes of the NAD metabolome in blood and urine, measured by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS Q-Exactive HF).
3. Between-group difference in change of clinical severity of PD, measured by UPDRS.

Exploratory Outcomes:

1. Between-group difference in the change of serum homocysteine levels.
2. Between-group difference in the change of fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age equal to or greater than 35 years and lower than 100 years at time of enrollment.
* Clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD according to the MDS criteria.
* Hoehn and Yahr score \< 4 at enrolment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Dementia or other neurodegenerative disorder at baseline visit.
* Any psychiatric disorder that would interfere with compliance in the study.
* Any severe somatic illness that would make the individual unable to comply and participate in the study.
* Use of high dose vitamin B3 supplementation within 30 days of enrollment.
* Metabolic, neoplastic, or other physically or mentally debilitating disorder at baseline visit.