New Discovery Shows Way to “Reverse” Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists have found that increasing the level of the molecule NAD⁺ can correct one of the fundamental failures associated with Alzheimer’s disease—incorrect RNA assembly within nerve cells. Published in Science Advances (Sci Adv).
Alzheimer’s disrupts alternative splicing—the process that regulates which protein versions will be synthesized from a single gene. As a result, cells begin to produce ‘incorrect’ protein variants, worsening neuron function, increasing toxic tau accumulation, and accelerating memory loss.
Researchers demonstrated that NAD⁺-boosting supplements normalize the splicing of hundreds of genes—primarily EVA1C, crucial for neuron function. In mice with an Alzheimer’s model, this improved memory and reduced pathological tau buildup. Experiments on worms and cells revealed that without EVA1C, this effect disappears—indicating its pivotal role in the mechanism.
Scientists believe that their discovery of the link between NAD⁺ levels, the EVA1C gene, and proper RNA function may suggest a new treatment approach for Alzheimer’s. Utilizing this mechanism in therapy could lead to drugs that protect neurons from damage and slow the disease’s progression even before severe symptoms appear.