Image Credit: janniwet/Shutterstock.com
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern (UT Southwestern) Medical Center have achieved significant progress in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), using a novel therapy involving CNM-Au8, a concentrated solution of gold nanocrystals.
Central to this advancement is the restoration of the NAD+/NADH ratio, a critical indicator of brain energy capacity. Recent clinical trials, REPAIR-PD and REPAIR-MS, have provided promising results regarding the efficacy of CNM-Au8 in improving brain function in patients diagnosed with these debilitating conditions.
The REPAIR-PD trial involved 13 participants aged 30 to 80, all diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease for three years or less. These individuals were on stable dopaminergic medications for a minimum of 12 weeks prior to the trial to ensure consistency in treatment. Meanwhile, the REPAIR-MS trial encompassed 11 participants aged 18 to 55, all diagnosed with stable relapse MS within the last 15 years, who were receiving the immunotherapy drug natalizumab.
Over the course of 12 weeks, participants consumed 120 cc of CNM-Au8 each morning. The study began with comprehensive baseline assessments, including electrocardiograms, blood tests, physical exams, and symptom evaluations. Advanced imaging techniques, like Phosphorous Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (P-MRS), were employed to noninvasively monitor brain energy metabolites throughout the treatment period.
Results from the trials indicated a statistically significant increase of 10.4 percent in the NAD+/NADH ratio across both groups after the 12-week treatment, highlighting the effectiveness of CNM-Au8 in targeting the brain and restoring energy metabolism balance. However, it was noted that the beneficial effects on the NAD+/NADH ratio diminished after the treatment concluded.
Interestingly, researchers observed an inverse relationship between the participants’ baseline and post-treatment levels of ATP and other brain energy molecules. Those with lower baseline levels experienced increases, while those with higher baseline levels exhibited a re-balancing effect, suggesting that CNM-Au8 has nuanced impacts depending on individual patient profiles.
Clene Nanomedicine Inc. is the primary developer of CNM-Au8, and their research has been published in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, contributing to the ongoing exploration and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Check out the original article here: Source link
