Dementia Experts Cautious But Encouraged After Study Shows Evidence Of Reversing Alzheimer’s

New research from Case Western Reserve University was recently heralded as a big step forward in the fight to not only slow but reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. Senior living memory care experts are encouraged by the results, but that there is still much left to be done to further that goal.

The study, published in December 2025 in Cell Reports Medicine, links Alzheimer’s progression to the brain’s inability to maintain healthy levels of NAD+, a molecule critical to cellular energy and resilience. In two studies, researchers restored NAD+ balances with an experimental compound that not only prevented further damage, but reversed disease characteristics.

Mice given the compound, known as P7C3-A20, exhibited cognitive repair of neurodegeneration and regained cognitive performance in later behavioral tests.

Dementia care leaders told Senior Housing News the study’s impact hinges on what happens next, calling for human trials and setting real expectations for families that already have relatives experiencing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Pegasus Senior Living Senior Vice President of Health and Wellness Sandra Petersen called the finding “genuinely encouraging,” especially since the research challenges a paradigm that has often molded the ways families discuss dementia. 

“Any evidence that challenges the long-held belief that Alzheimer’s can only be slowed—and not meaningfully reversed—offers real hope to residents, families, and care teams,” Petersen said.

But, Petersen cautioned, these initial results must be understood within the context of the study that was conducted as human trials would determine “safety, efficacy and durability” of the latest research.

“I emphasize that scientific momentum is real and exciting, while also being transparent that promising preclinical data is not a proven therapy,” Petersen added.

Occupational therapist and dementia care specialist Teepa Snow also welcomed the results of the study, but stressed the limits of the tests.

“I am certainly very glad that it is a treatment they are exploring,” she told SHN, noting it was “positive to hear that they are moving into different options beyond the medications that have historically been available.”

Snow said she feels there is a “long way to go” from the recent study findings to human clinical trials that must be safe and effective. In the meantime, Snow said her work remains in providing the “most effective support possible” for those living with dementia.

Both experts said they anticipate an increase in questions from families of those with dementia around supplements and “NAD+ boosters.” Petersen said Pegasus care teams were witnessing increased interest, causing care teams to increase proactive education so “excitement doesn’t outpace evidence.”

Petersen said that “indiscriminate” NAD+ elevation through supplement use may be unsafe, with Snow being even more blunt in urging families to “pause and use extremely thoughtful consideration” before enrolling an older adult in studies or taking unregulated substances. That’s because “any new brain medication does have the potential to cause real harm.”

“Humans are not disposable, and caution should certainly be used when testing any new treatment,” Snow said.

The post Dementia Experts Cautious But Encouraged After Study Shows Evidence of Reversing Alzheimer’s appeared first on Senior Housing News.