Nicotinamide riboside and aging muscle function in older veterans
Official title: Impacts of nicotinamide riboside on functional capacity and muscle physiology in older Veterans
Funded at Kansas City VA Medical Center · NIH-11216514 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether nicotinamide riboside can improve physical function and muscle health in healthy adults aged 65–85 who are veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kansas City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003396-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11216514 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Healthy adults aged 65–85 who are veterans and willing to participate in a 3‑month NR or placebo trial.
✕Less likely to help
Older adults outside the 65–85 range or those with significant mobility limitations or comorbidities may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will test if a supplement called nicotinamide riboside (NR) can improve how well older adults move, their muscle function, and related cellular signals. It uses a double‑blind, randomized design to compare NR versus placebo over 3 months in healthy veterans aged 65–85. The goal is to see if NR helps maintain or enhance daily activity, strength, and muscle biology as people age. Results could inform whether NR is a safe way to support aging muscles in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NR could become a simple strategy to help older adults maintain independence and mobility.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies showed improved activity and mitochondrial health with NR; human data are limited, making this study exploratory in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Kansas City VA Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seldeen, Kenneth Ladd — Kansas City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Seldeen, Kenneth Ladd
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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.