Newest Alzheimer's Drug: Coffee?

A QUANTUM OF SCIENCE

New research suggests caffeine may not only protect but can also reverse Alzheimer's Disease symptoms

Today's issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease contains two reports involving the effects of caffeine on mice bred to mimic the biochemical degeneration of cognition found in human Alzheimer's disease. Briefly, the major source of this neural degeneration is the accumulation of a protein called Amyloid-β (or Aβ). A natural protein, Aβ can sometimes mis-fold and in that state becomes impervious to the normal cellular processes that break down aging proteins for recycling. Because it cannot be broken down, mis-folded Aβ accumulates and eventually causes cell death in the tissues surrounding it. Alzheimer's disease results when this takes place in brain tissue.

Researchers are interested in the process by which Aβ mis-folds, accumulates and - just possibly - might be eradicated. In the studies published today in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers found that caffeine can not only protect Alzheimer's-prone mice from the accumulation of Aβ, but can even reduce Aβ levels in the brains and blood of mice who already have advanced Alzheimer's conditions. This is not the first report of caffeine's effects, but the two studies are back-to-back illustrations of the growing body of evidence linking caffeine to treatment for Alzheimer's even after the condition is diagnosed. Additionally, the levels of caffeine used in this study are relevant - the equivalent of about five cups of coffee per day for a human. This is exciting as it suggests that caffeine treatment might be possible without resorting to levels so high as to cause dangerous side-effects to humans.

For more information:

Caffeine Reverses Cognitive Impairment and Decreases Brain Amyloid-β Levels in Aged Alzheimer’s Disease Mice (Arendash et al)

Caffeine Suppresses Amyloid-β Levels in Plasma and Brain of Alzheimer’s Disease Transgenic Mice (Chuanhai et al)

© A Quantum of Science / P. Smalley
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