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Caffeine May Reverse Effects of Alzheimer's

Stimulant alleviates cognitive decline in lab mice

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2009 2:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Caffeine may reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study indicates. University of Florida researchers investigated the effects of a high caffeine diet on mice genetically engineered to suffer from high levels of beta-amyloid—a protein associated with human Alzheimer's—that causes cognitive decline in old age. The mice on caffeine performed significantly better on learning and memory tests than their uncaffeinated, cognitively impaired peers, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Previous research has suggested regular caffeine intake may slow the onset of Alzheimer’s. But the mice in this study received no caffeine until the equivalent of human age 70, suggesting that caffeine could help treat, as well as prevent, the disease. "We are not saying this is the silver bullet,'' said the lead researcher. "But there is something about this compound that has benefits for aging bodies.''

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Coffee beans await consumption at a Starbucks in in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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There was reversal of memory impairment in mice, which leads us to believe that caffeine could be a very attractive treatment for the disease.
- Dr. Gary Arendash, USF Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

Tank

Dec 9, 2009 1:02 AM CST

But inadvertently wouldn't the numbers still say something about the use of caffeine in the groups that abstain from drinking it altogether?

Tank

Dec 9, 2009 1:00 AM CST

Good point.

riffran

Jul 6, 2009 8:11 AM CDT

so just HOW MUCH caffeine?...Ive seen a LOT of elderly, with various stages of senile dementia or Alzheimers related symptoms..as they put it, who drink the hell out of good ole "joe", on a regular basis...neat to see how and IF this is an adjunct

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mice • caffeine • treatment • cognitive decline • memory loss • Alzheimer's Society • Alzheimer's Disease • women's issues

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Caffeine May Reverse Effects of Alzheimer's