Vitamin Could Delay Onset of Alzheimer's

B3 pills caused big improvement in mice; human trials to begin

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2008 2:07 PM CST

(Newser) – A simple dose of vitamin B3 may be one of the keys to combating the brain deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s disease, California scientists say. The team found that diseased mice given high levels of the vitamin retained normal memory ability over the four months of a study, and healthy mice actually improved their ability, reports the Guardian.

“At the moment we're talking about a disease for which there is no sort of treatment and this is likely to be far safer than any of the upcoming drugs,” says the study’s lead researcher. The necessary dose is higher than the amount of B3 in common supplements. A trial with human subjects will begin early next year.

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This image released by the United States Postal Service, shows the Alzheimer's postage stamp. (AP Photo)

MRI pictures show quantified brain structures of a healthy person and a patient with Alzheimer's disease. Arrows indicate the hippocampus, a brain structure critical for memory. (PRNewsFoto)

Jeannette Zeltzer recently lost her husband to Alzheimer's and now spends time holding hands with Max Rakov, who also suffers from Alzheimer's. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

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Nicotinamide is just vitamin B3, it's really cheap, it's safe and easy to get hold of. - Kim Green, leader of the research team

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Vitamin Could Delay Onset of Alzheimer's