The Effect of Vitamin B3 Supplementation in Glaucoma - A Prospective Study on the Effect of Nicotinamide Supplementation on Ocul

Funding

Other,Centre for Eye Research Australia

Scientific enquiries

Prof Jonathan Crowston

Brief Summary

This project aims to translate into the clinic a recently published study, demonstrating the protective role of vitamin B3 supplements (nicotinamide) in a mouse model of glaucoma. Glaucoma causes progressive loss of nerve tissue in the eye, and irreversible vision loss. This study investigates the short-term effect of taking nicotinamide supplements on the eye’s structure and function compared to placebo. Primary aims of this study include: 1) determining whether nicotinamide supplements in part .... This project aims to translate into the clinic a recently published study, demonstrating the protective role of vitamin B3 supplements (nicotinamide) in a mouse model of glaucoma. Glaucoma causes progressive loss of nerve tissue in the eye, and irreversible vision loss. This study investigates the short-term effect of taking nicotinamide supplements on the eye’s structure and function compared to placebo. Primary aims of this study include: 1) determining whether nicotinamide supplements in participants with glaucoma leads to short-term improvement in visual function measured using visual fields and the electroretinogram (ERG) and 2) determining whether nicotinamide leads to structural changes to the nerve tissue, imaged using hyperspectral imaging and optical coherence tomography. Participants diagnosed with glaucoma by an ophthalmologist will be invited to undertake the 24-week study with crossover design. They will be randomly assigned to take nicotinamide or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The ERG, visual fields and imaging are performed at baseline, 6 and 12-weeks post-intervention. Participants then crossover to take placebo or nicotinamide for another 12 weeks and the same measurements are repeated at 6 and 12-weeks post-intervention.
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Key Inclusion Criteria

- Diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma by an ophthalmologist - Recent (last 6 months), reliable visual field with mean defect equal to or better than -6 dB

Key Exclusion Criteria

- those who are currently or intending to be pregnant/breastfeeding during the study - those unwilling to abstain from other vitamin B supplements during the study period - history of severe allergies or allergic reaction to nicotinamide or niacin - those diagnosed with cancer in the last 5 years (except treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma) - those with a history of liver disease - those who cannot commit to the follow-up visits which occur at 6-weekly intervals over 24 weeks - those who ca .... - those who are currently or intending to be pregnant/breastfeeding during the study - those unwilling to abstain from other vitamin B supplements during the study period - history of severe allergies or allergic reaction to nicotinamide or niacin - those diagnosed with cancer in the last 5 years (except treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma) - those with a history of liver disease - those who cannot commit to the follow-up visits which occur at 6-weekly intervals over 24 weeks - those who cannot provide informed consent - eyes with a history of intraocular surgery in the past 6 months (uncomplicated cataract surgery within the last 3 months) - systemic/ocular disease that are known to affect retinal function (e.g. age-related macular degeneration, demyelinating diseases, diabetic retinopathy)
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