Clinical Trial of Niagen to Examine Recovery in People With Persistent Cognitive and Physical Symptoms After COVID-19
This is a completed trial with results just recently posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. I don't know if a paper will end up being published.
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, scientists and clinicians 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 the investigators 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. The investigators 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.
Enrollment
72
Interventions
In the results, it doesn't look like there's any consistent benefit of Niagen over placebo. The primary outcome is a whole bunch of cognitive tests. The first two listed are "ECog Total (Baseline to Week 12)" and "ECog Total (Week 12 to Week 22)".
Change scores for both measures were more negative in placebo than Niagen, so I think that means cognitive test scores improved more in placebo (though probably not significant).
This is a completed trial with results just recently posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. I don't know if a paper will end up being published.
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, scientists and clinicians 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 the investigators 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. The investigators 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.
Enrollment
72
Interventions
- Drug: Niagen
- Supplement: 60 participants will take Niagen 2000mg in the form of capsules daily.
- Other Names:
- Nicotinamide Riboside
- TruNiagen
- Vitamin B3
- Placebo
- Placebo: 40 participants will take placebo in the form of a capsule.
In the results, it doesn't look like there's any consistent benefit of Niagen over placebo. The primary outcome is a whole bunch of cognitive tests. The first two listed are "ECog Total (Baseline to Week 12)" and "ECog Total (Week 12 to Week 22)".
Change scores for both measures were more negative in placebo than Niagen, so I think that means cognitive test scores improved more in placebo (though probably not significant).
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