Scientists at UC Irvine have made an exciting discovery that could help people with Alzheimer’s disease and age-related brain problems.

They found that two natural compounds can help brain cells clean themselves and work better [1].

What Did the Scientists Find?

The researchers discovered that a combination of two natural substances can help aging brain cells remove harmful buildup. These substances are:

• Nicotinamide – a form of vitamin B3
• Epigallocatechin gallate – an antioxidant found in green tea

When brain cells were treated with these compounds for just 24 hours, they started working like younger, healthier cells [1].

How Does This Help the Brain?

As people get older, their brain cells lose energy. This makes it harder for the brain to clean out damaged parts and harmful proteins. Think of it like a house that doesn’t have enough power to run the vacuum cleaner – the dirt and dust start to pile up [1].

The harmful proteins that build up in the brain are called amyloid plaques. These are one of the main signs of Alzheimer’s disease. When brain cells don’t have enough energy, they can’t remove these harmful proteins effectively [1].

What Makes This Treatment Special?

The UC Irvine team, led by Professor Gregory Brewer, found that these natural compounds restore something called guanosine triphosphate (GTP). GTP is like a battery for brain cells – it gives them the energy they need to function properly [1].

“As people age, their brains show a decline in neuronal energy levels, which limits the ability to remove unwanted proteins and damaged components,” said Professor Brewer. “We found that restoring energy levels helps neurons regain this critical cleanup function” [1].

What Happened in the Study?

The scientists tested these compounds on brain cells from mice that were designed to have Alzheimer’s-like problems. Here’s what they found:

• Brain cells treated with the compounds had energy levels like younger cells
• The cells became much better at cleaning out harmful proteins
• Damage from oxidative stress was reduced
• The brain cells’ cleanup system started working properly again

The study was published in a scientific journal called GeroScience [1].

What Does This Mean for People with Dementia?

This research gives hope for new ways to help people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The compounds used in the study are already available as dietary supplements, which means they might be safer than many medications [1].

Professor Brewer explained, “By supplementing the brain’s energy systems with compounds that are already available as dietary supplements, we may have a new path toward treating age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease” [1].

Important Things to Remember

While this research is very promising, there are some important points to keep in mind:

• The study was done on brain cells in a laboratory, not on people
• More research is needed to find the best way to give this treatment to humans
• A recent clinical trial showed that taking nicotinamide by mouth wasn’t very effective because it gets broken down in the bloodstream [1]
• People should not start taking these supplements without talking to their doctor first

What’s Next?

The researchers need to do more studies to figure out the best way to deliver these compounds to the brain. They also need to test the treatment in people to make sure it’s safe and effective.

This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the UC Irvine Foundation, showing that major health organizations believe this work is important [1].

Hope for the Future

This discovery represents an important step forward in understanding how to help aging brains stay healthy. For families affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, research like this offers hope that new, natural treatments may be possible in the future.

The fact that these compounds are natural and already available as supplements makes this research especially interesting. However, it’s important to wait for more studies before considering these compounds as a treatment option.

References

[1] UC Irvine News. (2025, August 6). UC Irvine researchers find combination of natural compounds for brain cleaning. Retrieved from https://news.uci.edu/2025/08/06/uc-irvine-researchers-find-combination-of-natural-compounds-for-brain-cleaning/