Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a form of vitamin B3 and a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), a coenzyme essential for cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair. Interest in NR as a potential therapeutic for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is based on preclinical studies demonstrating the importance of NAD⁺ metabolism in neuroprotection and myelin repair. Several animal studies have shown that NAD⁺ precursors, including NR, can reduce neuroinflammation, support remyelination, and improve neurological outcomes in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of MS. For example, a 2016 study published in Nature Neuroscience reported that boosting NAD⁺ levels with NR promoted oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and remyelination in demyelinated mice.

However, as of mid-2024, no large-scale human clinical trials have been published demonstrating that NR supplementation is effective in treating or slowing MS in people. The evidence for its use is thus limited to animal studies and basic mechanistic research. While these findings are promising and justify scientific interest in NAD⁺ precursors for neurodegenerative and demyelinating diseases, clinical validation is lacking. Therefore, the evidence rating is 2/5, reflecting preclinical support but an absence of robust human data. Patients should consult healthcare professionals before using NR for MS, and more research is needed to confirm safety and efficacy in this context.

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