The NAD+ Precursor Nicotinamide Riboside Rescues Mitochondrial Defects and Neuronal Loss in iPSC and Fly Models of Parkinson ’s Disease

We report that increasing NAD+ via the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) significantly ameliorates mitochondrial function in patient neurons. Human neurons require nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) to maintain the NAD+ pool and utilize NRK1 to synthesize NAD+ from NAD+ precursors. Remarkably, NR prevents the age-related dopaminergic neuronal loss and motor decline in fly models of GBA-PD. Our findings suggest NR as a viable clinical avenue for neuroprotection in PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Graphical abstract Teaser Mitochondrial damage is a key feature in Parkinson’s disease. Schöndorf et al. demonstrate that nicotinamide riboside, an NAD+ precursor, boosts mitochondrial function in neurons derived from Parkinson’s disease patient stem cells and is neuroprotective in Parkinson’s disease fly models. These findings support use of NAD+ precursors in Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Source: Cell Reports - Category: Cytology Source Type: research