Article from Science Daily today:
http://www.scienceda...00517111937.htm
A special supplement to the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, "Therapeutic Opportunities for Caffeine in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases," sheds new light on this topic and presents key findings.
"Epidemiological studies first revealed an inverse association between the chronic consumption of caffeine and the incidence of Parkinson's disease," according to Mendonça and Cunha. "This was paralleled by animal studies of Parkinson's disease showing that caffeine prevented motor deficits as well as neurodegeneration "Later a few epidemiological studies showed that the consumption of moderate amounts of caffeine was inversely associated with the cognitive decline associated with aging as well as the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Again, this was paralleled by animal studies showing that chronic caffeine administration prevented memory deterioration and neurodegeneration in animal models of aging and of Alzheimer's disease."
I wonder what "chronic consumption" classifies as? The test animals were probably so wired they were constantly shaking. Not to mention the probable caffeine headaches etc.
Key findings presented in "Therapeutic Opportunities for Caffeine in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases":
* Multiple beneficial effects of caffeine to normalize brain function and prevent its degeneration
* Caffeine's neuroprotective profile and its ability to reduce amyloid-beta production
* Caffeine as a candidate disease-modifying agent for Alzheimer's disease
* Positive impact of caffeine on cognition and memory performance
* Identification of adenosine A2A receptors as the main target for neuroprotection afforded by caffeine consumption
* Confirmation of data through valuable meta-analyses presented
* Epidemiological studies corroborated by meta-analysis suggesting that caffeine may be protective against Parkinson's disease
* Several methodological issues must be solved before advancing to decisive clinical trials
Interesting and this may make me consider having a few cups of coffee a day again.
