Dr. Jack Diamond's response to Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre study on caffeine as a viable treatment for Alzheimer's disease
In a new study conducted by the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre (http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p=6700), researchers administered caffeine --the equivalent of humans consuming five cups a day-- to mice genetically engineered to develop human-like symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Their findings revealed that these mouse models, as in humans, showed abnormally high levels of the beta-amyloid protein in both the brain and blood that are largely responsible for causing memory and thinking impairment in people with Alzheimer's disease.
In the caffeine-treated Alzheimer mice, their findings showed that the beta-amyloid levels were significantly reduced to more normal values. The studies also revealed that the behaviour of these mice resembled that of normal animals. Interestingly, however, the same treatment did not improve the memory or thinking ability of normal mice.
So, should people showing signs of Alzheimer's disease drink five cups of coffee a day? The Research Centre hopes to extend their studies to humans. But given the potential health risks of caffeine, the Alzheimer Society of Canada recommends a wait-and-see approach until results of the human trials are available. It is also important to keep in mind that findings in mouse models do not always translate to humans, though some effects can be replicated. If caffeine can reduce Alzheimer symptoms in humans, we need to know whether this improvement could be offset by other effects of caffeine such as exacerbations of diabetes, tumour growth in the female reproductive system, increased risk of strokes in people with high blood pressure and sleep disorders.
Even if human trials prove successful, the Alzheimer Society advises that anyone diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment (often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease), should consult their family physician first before increasing their daily dose of coffee.
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