A medicine to boost brain cell energy for Alzheimer's
Developing a NAMPT activator for Alzheimer’s disease
A team is developing a new pill that raises brain cell energy (NAD+) to help people with late‑onset Alzheimer's and early memory problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176847 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers aim to create a small brain‑penetrant drug that turns on an enzyme called NAMPT to raise levels of NAD+, a molecule that helps keep neurons healthy. In animal and lab models, low NAD+ is linked to aging and memory loss, and restoring NAD+ improved thinking in those models. The project will take the compound through preclinical testing and drug-development steps up to the point of filing an IND so it could be tested in people. If the drug reaches clinical trials, those studies would look at whether boosting neuronal NAD+ slows cognitive decline in people with late‑onset Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with late‑onset Alzheimer's disease or with mild cognitive impairment likely due to Alzheimer's who are interested in trying a new targeted therapy.
Not a fit: People with non‑Alzheimer dementias, very advanced Alzheimer's, or certain medical conditions that prevent participation may not benefit from or be eligible for this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a new treatment that slows memory loss and brain aging in people with late‑onset Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Restoring NAD+ has improved cognition in animal and preclinical models, but NAMPT‑activating drugs are a newer approach with limited testing in humans so far.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Beibei — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Chen, Beibei
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.