Brain NAD levels in people with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Measurement of Brain NAD Levels in Alzheimer's Patients and Control Subjects by 1H-MRS
Run by Florida Atlantic University · NCT07127510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will try to see if people aged 65–80 with Alzheimer's have lower brain NAD than age-matched people without Alzheimer's by measuring NAD with two MRI-based scans eight months apart.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Florida Atlantic University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boca Raton, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 18, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07127510 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are ambulatory, verbal adults aged 65–80 who either have a physician-confirmed Alzheimer's diagnosis with positive amyloid testing or are cognitively normal peers with MoCA ≥26 and able to undergo MRI.
✕Probably not a fit
People outside the 65–80 age range, those with advanced dementia requiring sedation, MRI-incompatible implants, a history of seizures, recent cancer, night-shift workers, or control participants with MoCA <26 are unlikely to be included or to benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an observational study using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in the brains of participants with and without Alzheimer's disease. Participants will have an initial brain imaging session to quantify NAD and a repeat imaging session eight months later to compare within-person changes and group differences. Alzheimer cases must have a physician diagnosis plus positive amyloid evidence by PET or an FDA-approved CSF or blood test, while control participants must have a MoCA score of 26 or higher. Common exclusions include MRI-incompatible hardware, history of seizures, recent cancer, night-shift work, advanced dementia requiring sedation, or current anti-amyloid IV treatment (Leqembi or Kinsula).
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify brain NAD as a useful biomarker to help detect or track Alzheimer's disease and guide future research or treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Some preliminary research links NAD metabolism to brain aging and neurodegeneration, but measuring brain NAD by MRS in Alzheimer's is relatively novel and not yet widely validated.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants are able to come to the Florida Atlantic University Clinical Research Unit, are verbal and ambulatory. * Age 65 to 80 included. * People with Alzheimer's disease (AD): AD diagnosis established by the person's physician according to the following criteria: clinical diagnosis AND either positive amyloid PET-scan or FDA-approved positive CSF or blood test. Exclusion Criteria: * Under the age of 65 or over the age of 80. * Advanced dementia such that the person would require sedation for undergoing an MRI scan. * Receiving anti-amyloid intravenous treatments Leqembi or Kinsula. * Having an MRI-incompatible pacemaker or other MRI-incompatible hardware (e.g. comprising a metallic part). * Having a history of seizures. * Working at night. * Having cancer or having been diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years (excluding superficial squameous or basal cell cancer). * People with no AD: MoCA test result lower than 26.
Where it's running
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FAU Clinical Research Unit
Boca Raton, Florida, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Corinne Lasmezas, PhD — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: FAU Clinical Research Unit Central Contact
- Email: CRUDOR@health.fau.edu
- Phone: 561-235-4467
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.