A Coffee a Day Keeps Alzheimer's Away

As little as one cup of coffee a day could have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, according to new research. A daily dose of caffeine blocks the disruptive effects of high cholesterol that scientists have linked to the disease, a study has found.

The findings, in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, were based on research by scientists at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. In the study, researchers gave rabbits 3mg of caffeine each day, the equivalent of a daily cup of coffee for an average-sized person. The rabbits were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet during this time. After 12 weeks, a number of laboratory tests showed that the blood brain barrier -- which protects the central nervous system from the rest of the body's circulation -- was "significantly" more intact in rabbits receiving a daily dose of caffeine.

Previous studies have shown that high levels of cholesterol break down the blood brain barrier, which can then no longer protect the central nervous system from the damage caused by blood-borne contamination. Leakage in the blood brain barrier occurs in a number of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Jonathan Geiger, of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, says: "Caffeine is a safe and readily available drug and its ability to stabilize the blood brain barrier means it could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders."

The research confirms earlier studies showing that caffeine intake protects against memory loss in aging and in Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Northern Echo. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by YellowBrix.

------ 

From flirting to dating to marriage ... Don't miss our Relationships & Love newsletter.