A new study examines the effects of caffeine on the cognitive abilities of patients affected by early forms of Alzheimer’s disease.
THE caffeine Could there be a future cure for Alzheimer’s disease? According to a new study, its effects may be useful in slowing the progression of the disease in patients affected at an early stage.
Various epidemiological studies have already highlighted that this is what regular and moderate caffeine consumption looks like slows cognitive decline associated with old age and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by impairment of memory, executive functions, and orientation in time and space.
In a new study published today by Elmi “Brain” view Researchers at the Lille Neuroscience et Cognition research center in France have analyzed the mechanisms behind the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
What the new study showed
Scientists have found that during the development of the disease, there is a pathological increase in the receptors that caffeine targets neurons. favors the loss of synapses and therefore the early development of memory disorders in an animal model of the disease.
In 2016, the same research team described one of the mechanisms by which caffeine can block the same receptors in animals whose expression is abnormally increased in the brains of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
«Thus, we can imagine that caffeine could prevent the development of memory impairments and even other cognitive and behavioral symptoms by blocking these receptors, whose activity is increased in Alzheimer’s disease.David Blim, director of research at INSERM (French Institute for Health and Medical Research) and one of the study’s authors, said.
A Phase 3 clinical trial by the Lille University Hospital Center, incl 248 patients, currently underway. Half of the patients will receive 400 mg of caffeine and the other half will receive a placebo.
Its purpose to assess the effect of caffeine on the cognitive abilities of patients affected by early and moderate forms of Alzheimer’s disease.
«If the test is positive, it will prompt us to start more extensive testing. Potentially, this could mean that caffeine could be used as a medicine to treat this disease“, he clarified while speaking to AFP