Neurological Disorders and NMN: How Does NMN Battle Neurological Disorders?

Neurological disorders, from migraines and Alzheimer's disease to spinal cord injuries, profoundly impact millions in the US. Although age-standardized rates for some disorders have stabilized since 1990, the absolute number affected has increased, particularly for conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Regional trends show the southeastern US grappling with strokes, while the north contends with multiple sclerosis, and the east faces higher rates of migraines and Parkinson's.

This article spotlights Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), a molecule gaining attention for potential neuroprotective properties. 

In this article, we'll cover:

Delve into the potential relationship between NMN and neurological health.

Investigate the benefits of NMN supplementation for these disorders.

Survey current research surrounding NMN's potential impact on neurology.

By providing insights into these areas, our aim is to offer readers a comprehensive view of NMN's potential role in shaping the future of neurology and patient care. [1] 

What Are Neurological Disorders?

The brain, our command center, works alongside the spinal cord and nerves. When disruptions occur, neurological disorders emerge. These can stem from injuries, illnesses, or genetics. 

Traumatic events might lead to brain injuries, affecting speech or mood. Abnormal growths, or brain tumors, can cause headaches or seizures. Neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's, erode memory or movement over time.

Mental health disorders, such as depression, impact emotions and behavior. While risk varies, everyone can potentially face these disorders. Early recognition and care are essential.

Interested in the latest discoveries about NMN's role in combating neurological disorders? Keep reading for cutting-edge insights! [2]

The Science Between NMN and Neurological Disorders 

The brain, our central hub for thoughts and memories, faces threats from aging, disease, and injuries. Emerging research highlights the protective role of NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) against these challenges. 

This compilation presents a series of studies showcasing NMN's potential in diverse neuroprotective contexts, from combating inflammation to rejuvenating aging cells. Venture through to uncover how NMN could redefine our approach to preserving brain vitality.

NMN Helps Protect the Brain from Inflammation

When our immune system overreacts, it can inadvertently cause harm, such as brain inflammation, leading to forgetfulness. Researchers from the Naval Medical University in China discovered that NMN could mitigate this inflammation. 

The study, published in the journal Redox Biology in 2023, highlighted that NMN stimulates a protein called SIRT1, essential for combating inflammation. The team induced sepsis in mice, causing memory issues and brain inflammation.

After treating them with NMN, the mice exhibited improved memory and reduced inflammation, thanks to elevated NAD+ and SIRT1 levels. However, inhibiting SIRT1 rendered NMN ineffective, highlighting its crucial role.

NMN's potential isn't limited to sepsis; it might combat inflammation in various scenarios, including aging. Essentially, NMN, by augmenting NAD+ and activating SIRT1, could be pivotal in safeguarding our cells and moderating our immune responses. [3] 

NMN Helps Brain-Injured Mice Think Clearly Again

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can lead to memory problems and an increased risk of diseases like Alzheimer's. Currently, there are no medicines to prevent or slow these problems. However, a team led by Vázquez-Rosa at the Harrington Discovery Institute in Cleveland made an exciting discovery.

Published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America in 2020, the study found that a compound named P7C3-A20 can help repair the barrier in the brain that protects it from harmful substances in the blood. This barrier is crucial for the brain's health. When this barrier gets damaged, it can lead to various brain issues.

The researchers found that P7C3-A20 works by increasing the production of NMN in the cells. NMN is essential for brain health. In experiments, mice with TBIs were given this compound, and their memory improved significantly, even a long time after the injury.

However, it's essential to understand that these results are from studies in mice. More research is needed to see if the treatment is effective and safe for humans. If successful, this compound could provide a new way to treat and protect individuals with TBI or other similar conditions in the future. [4] 

NMN Protects Brain Cells and Memory in Diabetes Patients

Millions of people in America have diabetes, a condition where the body can't manage sugar levels properly. To help control this, many diabetes patients get insulin shots. But sometimes, these shots can lead to very low blood sugar, which can hurt the brain.

Chinese scientists did a study on rats and found that NMN can help protect the brain from damage due to low blood sugar. They published their findings in Brain Research Bulletin in 2020.

In the study, rats with very low blood sugar had damaged brain cells, especially in the part of the brain important for learning and memory. But, when these rats were given NMN, they had much fewer damaged brain cells compared to those that didn’t get NMN.

The study also found that NMN helped improve memory in rats. After six weeks, they tested the rats’ memory with a water maze game. Rats that got NMN found their way out of the maze faster than those that didn’t.

The scientists concluded that NMN might be a helpful treatment for patients who experience very low blood sugar. It could protect their brains and help keep their memory sharp. [5] 

NMN Helps Brain Health in Diabetic Rats

Many people with diabetes face challenges with their memory and thinking. Their brains can have problems similar to those found in Alzheimer's disease.

In a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, a team led by Chandrasekaran found that NMN might help protect brain cells and improve memory in diabetic rats.

When diabetes affects the brain, a vital molecule called NAD+ drops in level. This molecule helps cells produce energy and perform other essential tasks. The scientists discovered that giving NMN to diabetic rats increased the NAD+ levels in their brains.

In the study, diabetic rats had trouble remembering places in a maze. However, after receiving NMN, they performed much better. This suggests NMN might help improve memory and protect brain cells in diabetes patients.

The researchers believe that NMN could become a new treatment to protect the brain and improve memory in people with diabetes. [6] 

NMN Rejuvenates the Aging Brain 

As people get older, they might sometimes forget things like where they left their car keys. Scientists believe that this might be due to problems in the brain's blood vessels. Over time, these blood vessels can weaken, leading to memory problems or even diseases like Alzheimer's.

Scientists from the University of Oklahoma did a study on mice and found something exciting. They published their results in the GeroScience journal in 2020. In the study, they gave older mice NMN. NMN helps make more NAD+, which is essential for keeping our cells healthy. As we age, our bodies have less of this molecule.

The researchers found that when they gave NMN to older mice, it helped refresh the brain's blood vessels and improved the health of cells. About 55% of the genes in these mice went back to working like they did when the mice were younger!

Additionally, NMN also boosted the function of the cell's energy centers, known as mitochondria. This is like giving a recharge to the batteries inside our cells.

In the past, other scientists have shown that NMN can increase blood flow in the brain and help improve thinking skills. This new study adds to that by showing how NMN can turn back time for the brain's blood vessels and cells. The researchers think that combining NMN with other beneficial substances might help people in the future who have memory problems due to weakened brain blood vessels. [7] 

NMN Shows Promise in Protecting Brain After a Stroke in Mice

Strokes, caused by bleeding inside the brain, remain a significant health threat even with modern medicine. Recent research from Shanghai Jiao Tong University suggests a potential way to help. They found that using NMN could help mice recover better after a stroke.

In their study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences in 2020, the team gave mice with strokes a daily NMN injection for over a week. Afterward, they checked the health and brain function of these mice. They noticed that the mice treated with NMN had healthier brain cells, better brain function, and recovered more of their body weight than those who weren't treated.

Shu and the team's results suggest NMN might be a way to help treat strokes in the future. However, they also mentioned that their study had some issues. For example, they didn't use many mice in their tests, which means more research is needed to be sure of their findings. [8] 

NMN Supplement Might Boost Brain Health in Older Mice

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center found that giving older mice NMN might help their brains work better. The study, published in Redox Biology in 2019, showed that NMN helped increase blood flow in the brains of these older mice. This is important because our brains need a lot of oxygen and nutrients, and they get these through blood. When there is more blood flow, the brain can work better.

The scientists also discovered that when older mice got NMN, certain parts of their cells (called mitochondria) worked better. These parts are like the powerhouses of our cells – they give our cells energy. 

The team also gave the mice some tests. They found out that older mice that had NMN did better on memory and learning tests than older mice without NMN. In fact, the older mice that had NMN performed closer to how young mice did on the tests.

In short, NMN seems to help older mice's brains work better, just like when they were younger. But more research is needed to see if NMN can help human brains in the same way. [9] 

NMN Might Help Brain Injuries Heal Better

Brain injuries are a significant health concern worldwide, affecting around 50 million adults every year. These injuries not only cause initial damage but can also lead to secondary issues that worsen the injury. 

Scientists have been on the lookout for treatments that can counteract this damage. Recently, a study from Wuhan University in China, published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences in 2023, shared promising results. 

The research highlighted the potential benefits of NMN in helping the brain recover after an injury. When they tested on rats, they found that those treated with NMN had better brain function and reduced damage after their injury. 

Specifically, rats given NMN performed better in learning and memory tests. Moreover, upon examining the brain tissues, researchers noticed that NMN-treated rats had healthier brain cells and reduced inflammation, a significant concern after a brain injury.

Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that NMN could be a promising treatment for brain injuries in the future. [10] 

NMN Boosts Brain Health in Aging

Researchers at Washington University have made an exciting discovery about our brains as we age. Our brains are made up of different areas, each with a specific job. One important molecule for keeping our brains healthy is NAD+. But as we get older, the amount of NAD+ in our brain decreases, especially in an area responsible for our memory.

In a study published in the journal NPJ Aging in 2023, these researchers found out that another area of the brain called the hypothalamus, also has less NAD+ as it ages. They tested this by measuring the NAD+ levels in young and old mice.

To understand if they could increase the NAD+ levels in older mice, they gave them NMN. And guess what? It worked! The older mice had more NAD+ in their hypothalamus after getting NMN.

Another interesting thing they tried was using tiny particles from young mice which contained a special enzyme. When they gave these particles to older mice, their NAD+ levels went up by almost half in the hypothalamus.

These findings are super important because they show that NMN and this special enzyme might help our brains stay healthier as we age. However, more studies are needed to know for sure. If this works, it might help with problems older people face like poor sleep, feeling less active, or memory issues. [11] 

Conclusion

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