According to Dr. Gary Arendash, an American neuroscientist, drinking at least three large cups of coffee per day could reduce the risk of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease patients and even reverse the condition.

Despite the fact that in the previous research coffee drinking has been associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, this is the first study to suggest that caffeine can directly target the condition itself.

In the new study, researchers from the University of South Florida examined 55 mice that had been specifically bred to develop symptoms of dementia which are identical to those of Alzheimer's as they became older. Before the experiment, all the mice, which were aged between 18 and 19 months (approximately 70 years in human terms), did not perform well in the memory tests. The animals were split into two groups, with half receiving a daily dose of caffeine in their drinking water, and the other half drinking just plain water.

The results revealed that mice with a rodent equivalent of the disease demonstrated a 50 per cent drop in levels of amyloid protein in their brains after the certain amounts of caffeine have been added to their drinking water. At the end of the 2-month trial, the mice who drank their water with caffeine, performed much better on tests of memory and thinking, when compared to the mice who drank just plain water. The experts found that their memories were as sharp as those of healthy older mice without memory issues.

For people an equivalent dose for their body weight would translate into 500 milligrams of caffeine per day, the equivalent to five 8-ounce cups of regular coffee. The same amount of caffeine can be obtained by consuming two cups of strong coffee, fourteen cups of tea, or twenty cola drinks.

Dr. Arendash, who carried out the study at the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre (ADRC) in Tampa, said that the new results provide evidence that caffeine could be an important 'treatment' for established Alzheimer's disease, and not simply a protective strategy. This is critical, the scientist added, because caffeine is a safe drug for the majority of people. "It easily enters the brain, and it appears to directly affect the disease process," he said.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a build-up of plaque protein on the brain of patients. According to the investigators, caffeine can actually prevent this dangerous plaque from developing and building up, therefore reducing symptoms of the condition. The researchers plan to conduct future studies involving humans in order to establish if the effects that were observed in mice who were given the stimulant, also are evident in actual human Alzheimer's patients.

The findings are published in the July issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's disease.

Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, Nutrition

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