For more than a century, Alzheimer’s disease has been considered a condition that cannot be reversed. Doctors have focused on slowing the disease because they believed the damage to brain cells could not be repaired once it had begun.
Although several medicines can slightly slow the worsening of symptoms in some patients, there is still no cure. A new study, however, suggests that the brain may have a greater ability to recover than scientists once thought.
Researchers from University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center have discovered a possible new way to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Their findings suggest that restoring the brain’s energy supply may not only slow the disease but could even reverse some of the damage. The study was published in the journal NPJ Aging.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It slowly destroys brain cells, causing memory loss, confusion, difficulty making decisions, and problems with everyday activities.
As the disease progresses, people may struggle to recognize loved ones or care for themselves. Scientists believe the disease develops over many years before symptoms become obvious, making early treatment especially important.
The research focused on a molecule called NAD+, which is found in every cell of the body. NAD+ plays a vital role in turning food into energy and helping cells repair themselves. Healthy brain cells need a steady supply of NAD+ to work properly.
Earlier studies suggested that NAD+ levels naturally fall with age, but the new research found that they drop much more sharply in Alzheimer’s disease.
The scientists believe that when NAD+ becomes too low, brain cells lose the energy they need to survive. This can increase inflammation, damage important brain connections, and eventually lead to the death of neurons. These changes are all common features of Alzheimer’s disease.
To test their idea, the researchers used two different strains of mice that had genetic changes causing Alzheimer’s-like disease. These mice developed severe memory problems, inflammation in the brain, and other changes similar to those seen in people with Alzheimer’s.
The team treated the mice with an experimental drug called P7C3-A20. Instead of directly adding NAD+ to the body, the drug helps protect and restore healthy NAD+ levels inside cells. This approach may be safer than taking large amounts of over-the-counter NAD+ supplements, which could raise NAD+ beyond healthy levels.
The results surprised the researchers. The treated mice not only stopped getting worse, but many signs of the disease were reversed. Their memory and learning abilities returned to normal, even in animals that already had advanced Alzheimer’s-like disease. The mice also showed lower brain inflammation and healthier brain function.
Another encouraging finding involved a protein called phosphorylated tau 217. High levels of this protein are considered an important marker of Alzheimer’s disease. After treatment, the mice had normal levels of this marker, suggesting that the drug was changing the disease itself rather than simply hiding the symptoms.
Lead researcher Dr. Andrew Pieper said the findings show that restoring the brain’s energy balance allowed both brain structure and function to recover. According to the research team, the brain may have a much greater ability to repair itself if it receives the right support.
Dr. Kalyani Chaubey explained that the study provides proof that one medicine can produce recovery in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. She believes the findings could guide the development of future treatments for people.
The researchers stress that these results are still early. The experiments were performed in mice, and treatments that work well in animals do not always work the same way in humans. Clinical trials will be needed to find out whether P7C3-A20 is safe and effective for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The research team is now preparing human clinical trials and is also studying whether this same strategy could help other brain disorders linked to aging.
If future studies confirm these findings, restoring the brain’s energy balance could become an entirely new way to fight Alzheimer’s disease, offering hope that recovery may one day be possible instead of simply slowing the disease.
The study was carried out by researchers from University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, and the findings were published in NPJ Aging.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the protective power of dietary antioxidants against Alzheimer’s, and eating habits linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
