Nicotinamide in Glaucoma (NAMinG): A Randomised, Placebo-controlled, Multi-centre, Phase III Trial

Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG) is a chronic optic neuropathy causing progressive vision loss. It is well established that IOP is the only currently modifiable risk factor for glaucoma progression, and it is widely accepted that other risk factors modulate the susceptibility of an eye to IOP. This has led to a considerable body of research into neurodegenerative mechanisms and potential neuroprotective approaches. Various pathways contributing to the neurodegeneration have been implicated, and many have focussed on the role of mitochondria. Neuroprotection would significantly reduce sight loss and the burden of IOP-lowering eye drop treatment needed for disease control. There is evidence that susceptibility to IOP is related to mitochondrial function and ageing is associated with mitochondrial functional decline. The knowledge gap addressed in this trial is the relative contribution that mitochondrial function makes to glaucomatous neurodegeneration and whether boosting mitochondrial function with NAM slows progression in humans in the same way that it does in animal models. Biomarkers for mitochondrial-related susceptibility have not yet been established in humans. The proposal therefore is a new mechanism neuroprotection to improve resistance to eye pressure and evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of NAM to preserve vision and its mechanism of action. There is strong evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with OAG susceptibility and that NAM improves mitochondrial function. Research has shown short-term vision improvement with high-dose NAM in glaucoma patients. NAM is safe and well-tolerated.