Ajla Hodzic Kuerec et al. · Mechanisms of Ageing and Development · 2024
Evidence type: Secondary human analysisInterpretive weight: LimitedResearch area: NAD response variability
DesignPost-hoc analysis of the randomized double-blind 80-person Yi et al. NMN dose-ranging trial
PopulationGenerally healthy adults aged 40–65 years from the parent trial
Sample80 participants from the parent trial
InterventionParent trial: placebo or NMN 300, 600, or 900 mg/day for 60 days
EndpointsChange in blood NAD concentration; Interindividual variability in NAD response; Associations between NAD change and six-minute walk distance; Associations between NAD change and SF-36
What the publication reported
This paper re-analyzed the 80-person Yi et al. randomized trial to examine how strongly individuals differed in their blood NAD response to 300, 600 or 900 mg/day NMN.
The analysis reported a dose-related average increase in NAD but also very large person-to-person variability. Larger increases in NAD were statistically associated with improvements in six-minute walk distance and SF-36 scores.
These are post-hoc associations from the same trial population, not a new randomized comparison. They can generate hypotheses about response variability but cannot prove that targeting a particular NAD level causes better clinical outcomes.
Key findings
Blood NAD response increased with dose on average.
Within-group variability in NAD response was large.
Greater NAD changes were associated with six-minute walk and SF-36 changes.
The paper proposed monitoring NAD as a possible basis for personalized dosing.
All data came from the previously published Yi et al. trial rather than a new participant cohort.
What it cannot establish
Post-hoc secondary analysis.
Not an independent clinical trial or new sample.
Associations between NAD change and functional outcomes do not establish causality.
Commercial sponsorship and affiliations from the parent study remain relevant.
HealthspanX claim boundary: This analysis does not establish a validated personalized NMN dose or target NAD concentration, and does not independently prove functional benefit.
