Caffeine increases enzyme that fights dementia, study finds
A few cups of coffee per day could be good for you
A few cups of coffee per day could be good for you
A few cups of coffee per day could be good for you
Caffeine may help reduce a person's risk of dementia and other degenerative brain disorders, according to a study from Indiana University .
Researchers found that caffeine, along with several other compounds, may help increase the production of NMNAT2, an enzyme that protects the brain and simultaneously combats stress.
"This work could help advance efforts to develop drugs that increase levels of this enzyme in the brain, creating a chemical 'blockade' against the debilitating effects of neurodegenerative disorders," said study leader . Lu is a Gill Professor in the Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Science and the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
Scientists screened more than 1,280 compounds and identified 24 that had the potential to increase the production of NMNAT2, which combats the formation of tau, proteins that create clumps in the brain. Tau proteins are found in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.
Approximately 1 million people in the US are living with Parkinson's and 60,000 cases are diagnosed each year, according to the . Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5.4 million Americans, and scientists predict the numbers will increase as the population ages.
Caffeine has also been shown to improve memory function in mice.
"Increasing our knowledge about the pathways in the brain that appear to naturally cause the decline of this necessary protein is equally as important as identifying compounds that could play a role in future treatment of these debilitating mental disorders," Lu said.