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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Caffeine May Reverse Effects of Alzheimer's

Stimulant alleviates cognitive decline in lab mice

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(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.''

Coffee beans await consumption at a Starbucks in in New York.
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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riffran
Jul 6, 09 3:11 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 Reply
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jeangnome
Jul 6, 09 6:24 AM CDT
If this is true, shouldn't Mormons and other people who abstain from using caffeine products have a higher rate of Alzheimers? Should be a fairly easy study to do. Reply
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Cegorach
Jul 6, 09 11:52 AM CDT
They said that caffeine could prevent it, not that lack of caffeine caused it.
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opheliaglass
Jul 6, 09 10:42 AM CDT
So it seems that this is one horribly addictive habit that I can now justify! Reply
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Mad
Jul 6, 09 12:41 PM CDT
Maybe it's the application of caffeine after the onset of Alzheimer's Reply
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