In numerous recent interviews (Here and Here), top Harvard Alzheimer’s expert Dr Rudy Tanzi discussed plans to initiate 2 human clinical studies using NAD+ boosting vitamin supplement Nicotinamide Riboside “NR” (FAQs) (Reviews). In one study, Dr Tanzi will focus on Alzheimer’s patients. And in the other, which was posted on ClinicalTrials.gov earlier this week Dr Tanzi will focus on long-haul COVID patients experiencing persistent cognitive and physical symptoms. You may remember that Dr Tanzi knows a lot about NR through both personal supplementation (“I religiously take Tru Niagen“) AND his association with the NFL’s New England Patriots. As a result, many have been eagerly awaiting these two clinical trials. Here’s more on the COVID trial posted earlier this week:
Outline of the COVID study from ClinicalTrials.gov (estimated start date: April 1, 2021):
Clinical Trial of Niagen to Examine Recovery in People With Persistent Cognitive and Physical Symptoms After COVID-19 Illness (Long-COVID)
“The study will assess whether Niagen, a safe dietary supplement, improves recovery of COVID-19 related symptoms in individuals who were infected at least 2 months prior to study entry (“Long-COVID” “Long-haulers”). 60% of participants will receive Niagen and 40% will receive PBO. Outcomes will consist of standardized cognitive, neuropsychiatric, physical, functional and biomarker assessments.”
Detailed Description:
“This study will recruit people who were infected with COVID-19 at least 2 months ago and continue to experience symptoms related to infection.
Initially thought to be an acute illness like the flu, resulting in death for some or full recovery in most, we are now appreciating that substantial numbers of COVID-19 illness survivors experience persistent, significant and sometimes disabling symptoms.
Variously called “Long-COVID,” “COVID long-haulers,” or “chronic COVID syndrome”, some of the most prominent symptoms are neurologic and neuropsychiatric, including cognitive impairment (‘brain fog’), headache, fatigue, muscle aches and weakness, shortness of breath, hair loss and pain, among others.
In this research study we want to learn about whether taking Niagen (also known as Nicotinamide Riboside, or NR), a daily supplement containing a form of Vitamin B3, can improve recovery of cognitive function, mood, and physical health in individuals who were infected with COVID-19 and continue to experience “brain fog” and other neurological and physical symptoms.
We think that this supplement may help improve thinking skills and other symptoms, and improve quality of life, in individuals who had COVID-19.
Participants will complete the following at baseline and every 5 weeks: 1) a standard cognitive battery and subjective cognitive complaints scales; 2) mood measures; 3) assessments of physical functioning, as well as of other common Covid-19-related symptoms; 4) blood draw; and 5) 2 optional MRIs. Participants will also wear a Fitbit and complete questionnaires to assess sleep and physical activity.”
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But wait.
Dr Tanzi’s name is nowhere to be found on the Clinical Trials page announcing the COVID trial.
How do we know this is one of the studies he’s been discussing in interviews?
See my email exchange with him earlier this week:
| Ezra | Mon, Mar 22, 12:48 PM (18 hours ago) |  | |
| to TANZI |
Dr Tanzi:
I hope you’re well.
Is this the study you’ve referenced a few times in interviews that you’re associated with?
Thank you.
Ezra
| Tanzi, Rudolph E | Mar 22, 2021, 4:04 PM (15 hours ago) | | |
| to me |
Yes
Sent from Rudy’s iPhone
________________
And of course it makes sense that his name is nowhere to be found.
Dr Tanzi has said in interviews that he can’t be directly involved in any Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) study because he’s a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at Chromadex.
Here’s what he said in a recent interview on the COVID / NR clinical trials he planned:
“…I should also say that at Mass General, I co-direct a center called the McCance Center for Brain Health where our goal is to learn how to quantify brain health.
…And again, because of my association with the company (Chromadex) i have to put a firewall between me and the trials which i do.
…And then the other trial is just going to start is on COVID.
So people who’ve had COVID could be long haulers for the neuro COVID where they get brain fog or even more severe symptoms in the brain due to the inflammation the viruses caused around the blood vessels of the brain.
So we’re tracking the neural symptoms of after COVID infection and then we’re going to ask if can they be minimized or reduced by Tru Niagen Nicotinamide Riboside (NR).
And this is following up on a trial that was already done you may know about in Turkey where the results were just announced where they showed that Tru Niagen was able to help in patients with COVID in Turkey.
And the reason why is Charlie Brenner who discovered Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)…
…And he showed that when you get a COVID infection your NAD+ levels plummet and that’s why you’re fatigued because you need NAD+ for the cell fuel ATP.
So the reason why they get this huge fatigue and the immunosuppressed is the NAD levels plummet.”
Dr Tanzi’s NR Regimen — Increased During COVID-19 (from the same interview)
“So I take Tru Niagen now at a double dose for now every day just like I’ve doubled my vitamin D3 dose because vitamin D correlates with COVID severity.
So i now doubled my D3 dose from 1000 units which is one capsule to two capsules.
I increased my Tru Niagen to 2 capsules now because if i get COVID i want my NAD levels to be up, my d3 levels to be up.
That’s what i do personally.
I’m not endorsing that.
i’m not telling people to do it.
Check with your doctor for any of this stuff.
I’m just telling you personally what i’m doing right now.
Tru Niagen….it takes at least a month before you start feeling it…and then all of a sudden it starts to kick in.”
In a separate interview, Dr. Tanzi said the following about NR:
“So I religiously take Tru Niagen.
I feel great on it.
I can tell when I’m NOT on it.
You feel different.
…it’s Charlie Brenner (discoverer of NR as an NAD+ precursor vitamin) who brought me into the advisory board (at Chromadex). That’s how I got involved.
And I started taking it (NR) and I was sold.
…Tru Niagen gives you a lot of energy and boost.
You just feel younger and vibrant.
That’s how I feel with that.”
NOTE:
To conclude, here’s what we know: The clinical trial sponsored by MGH and listed this week at ClinicalTrials.gov is the Long Haul COVID study testing NR that Alzheimer’s expert Dr Rudy Tanzi has been discussing in recent interviews. We also know that Dr Tanzi has plans for an Alzheimer’s study using NR. Finally, we know that Dr Tanzi believes in NR personally, increased his dosage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recommends it to friends and professional sports team he’s associated with. Of course, he reminds everyone to check with your doctor before supplementing.
RELATED POSTS:
- Why the Harvard/MGH Long Hauler COVID Study Using Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) Might Have Potential (Link)
- VIDEO: Star Neuroscientist Takes Tru Niagen; Starting Clinical Trials for Alzheimer’s & COVID (Link)
- Nicotinamide Riboside “NR” for Alzheimer’s (FAQs)
- Nicotinamide Riboside “NR” (FAQs) (Consumer Reviews)
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