Key points from article :
Treatment with NMN, a precursor of NAD+, restores neurovascular coupling (NVC) in aged mice.
During the experiment, aged mice were treated with NMN for two weeks.
Then evaluated for cognitive and motor functions that are known to be affected by NVC response.
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses measured following whisker stimulation, then MRI analysis.
CBF was weaker in aged mice compared to young ones, but NMN treatment increased it significantly.
To confirm its was due to NO productions, an inhibitor (L-NAME) was administered to the mice.
NVC responses were greatly decreased in young mice but not in the old, untreated ones.
Confirming, aged mice treated with NMN demonstrated restored L-NAME response.
Experiments in vitro show NMN attenuates age-related mitochondrial oxidative stress in CMVECs.
First study to demonstrate the use of this method in improving brain function in old age.
Published in Redox Biology.
