[Stabilized NADH (ENADA) improves jet lag-induced cognitive performance deficit]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Chronobiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Current jet lag remedies like phototherapy and medication have limited effectiveness and practicality.
• Jet lag negatively impacts cognitive functions such as attention, working memory, and visual processing, alongside increasing sleepiness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of stabilized sublingual reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as a jet lag countermeasure.
• To determine if NADH can mitigate cognitive deficits and sleepiness associated with jet lag.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 35 healthy subjects crossing a 3-hour time difference.
• Participants received either 20 mg of sublingual stabilized NADH or a placebo upon arrival.
• Cognitive function, mood, and sleepiness were assessed using computer-administered tests (including Cog Screen).

Main Results:

• Jet lag caused increased sleepiness in over half the participants and cognitive decline in approximately one third.
• NADH group showed significantly better performance on 4 cognitive measures (P < .05) compared to placebo.
• Subjects receiving NADH reported significantly less sleepiness than the placebo group.

Conclusions:

• Stabilized sublingual NADH effectively reduces jet lag-induced cognitive impairments and sleepiness.
• NADH is a practical and safe countermeasure for jet lag, with no observed adverse effects.
• NADH's mechanism may involve increased ATP production and dopamine synthesis, counteracting jet lag effects.