Vitamin B3 could slow Alzheimer’s

Photo by Sam Etchell – used with permission

By Marianne Halavage

The spread of Alzheimer’s can be drastically halted with an off-the-shelf vitamin B supplement, scientists have found.

US researchers have discovered that high doses of Vitamin B3, which can be bought cheaply in health stores, may prevent brain degeneration and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The study in the Journal of Neuroscience offers hope to around 417,000 Alzheimer’s sufferers in the UK, reported The Guardian newspaper today.

Scientists at the University of California found that high doses of vitamin B3, known as Nicotinamide, significantly reduced memory loss in mice with the disease, reported yesterday’s Telegraph newspaper.

The researchers will now conduct the same trials in humans.

Starting in the New Year, for six months, 25 volunteers in the early stages of Alzheimer’s will be given high doses of Nicotinamide. Another 25 will be given a placebo.

Prevents protein build-up

The B3 vitamin is believed to prevent the build-up of “tau” proteins in the brain. At the onset of the disease, these protein clumps are thought to reduce nerve cell function. Eventually the clumps can stop the nerves working and kill them off.

The University of California study showed that, in mice, Nicotinamide lowered the levels of tau and prevented Alzheimer’s symptoms worsening.

Kim Green and his colleague, Frank LaFerla, added the vitamin to rodents’ drinking water. They found that Alzheimer’s mice performed at the same level as normal mice in memory and recognition tests, while untreated Alzheimer’s mice experienced memory loss.

The vitamin also actually improved memory in healthy mice.

“This suggests that not only is it good for Alzheimer’s disease, but if normal people take it, some aspects of their memory might improve,” said LaFerla, reported the Telegraph.

There is currently no cure for the disease. But slowing its onset by five years would half the number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s each year, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Charities urge caution

Vitamin B3 can be bought over-the-counter in pharmacies and health stores for around £4. It is also found naturally in meat, flour and dairy products, though in insufficient quantities to halt the disease.

Volunteers taking part in the trial will be given 2g of the vitamin a day. If consumed in doses of 10g or more, the vitamin can cause liver damage.

Alzheimer’s charities have welcomed the findings with caution, reported the Independent.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: “These are exciting findings, but until the results from the human clinical trial are announced, people should be wary about changing their diet or taking supplements. In high doses vitamin B3 can be toxic.”

Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, said in the Guardian: “This research is interesting as it points towards new ways of treating Alzheimer’s disease. The best evidence around reducing your risk of dementia is to eat a healthy balanced diet, take regular exercise, don’t smoke and check your blood pressure and cholesterol.”

To find out more about recent Alzheimer’s studies, click here.

Email Marianne Halavage at m.halavage@my.westminster.ac.uk

 

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