Comparisons of NAD Precursors for Neuroenhancement in Glaucoma Patients

What Was Tested

This registered phase 2 trial tested NAD+.

The main questions it aims to answer are: 1.

It had six arms (groups): Nicotinamide Riboside (Phase I) (experimental), Nicotinamide (Phase I) (active comparator), Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (Phase II) (active comparator), Nicotinic Acid (Phase II) (active comparator) and Placebo (Phase I) (placebo comparator).

The registry classes the interventions as dietary supplement and other.

More on the Plan

This prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluates four nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursors for neuroenhancement in 138 adults with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Blood samples undergo standardized processing with Lymphoprep separation, snap-freezing, and derivatization protocols prior to mass spectrometry analysis using Agilent and Thermo Fisher systems with predefined NAD+ metabolite inclusion lists.

Statistical analysis employs linear mixed models to compare within-group and between-group changes, with intention-to-treat principles.

Who Took Part

Enrollment: 138 planned participants were the target.

It was open to people of any sex aged from 18 years with no upper age limit.

Healthy volunteers were not accepted; participants needed the condition being studied.

Examples of who could join: Age ≥ 18 years. Best corrected VA ≥20/40. IOP \<21 mmHg. Visual field mean deviation better than -24 dB on standard automated perimetry 24-2 SITA standard.

The full record lists 5 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria; among the exclusions: pathological myopia; diseases that may cause visual field loss or optic disc abnormalities other than glaucoma; inability to perform reliable visual field.

How the Study Was Run

Design: randomized, parallel-group and quadruple-blind.

Because people in this NAD+ study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Groups ran in parallel: each of the participants stayed in one arm throughout.

As a double-blind NAD+ study, the assignments were hidden from both participants and investigators until the end.

Those kept unaware of assignments: participant, care provider, investigator and outcomes assessor.

It started in 2025-05-19 with completion listed for 2025-12-31.

It ran at 1 site in Hong Kong.

Its stated primary purpose is treatment.

What Was Measured

The main thing measured (primary outcome): Change in visual field sensitivity (time frame: 2 weeks).

It also tracked 3 secondary outcomes, for example Blood NA and NAD+ metabolome, Change in pattern ERG measurements and Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and defect imaging by optical coherence tomography.

What This Means in Plain Language

Put simply, this is a phase 2, randomized trial of NAD+ in 138 people.

It is still recruiting; no results are posted to the registry yet, so nothing here describes outcomes.

More context: the NAD+ compound page, all human trials.