Effects of NAD + in Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Neuronal Damage

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD ) is an essential cofactor that mediates numerous biological processes in all living cells. Multiple NAD biosynthetic enzymes and NAD -consuming enzymes are involved in neuroprotection and axon regeneration. The nematode has served as a model to study the neuronal role of NAD because many molecular components regulating NAD are highly conserved. This review focuses on recent findings using models of neuronal damage pertaining to the neuronal functions of NAD and its precursors, including a neuroprotective role against excitotoxicity and axon degeneration as well as an inhibitory role in axon regeneration. The regulation of NAD levels could be a promising therapeutic strategy to counter many neurodegenerative diseases, as well as neurotoxin-induced and traumatic neuronal damage.