Coffee has Positive Affect on Alzheimer’s Disease

There is more evidence that coffee has a beneficial effect on Alzheimer's disease, at least in mice. Previously1 research has suggested a protective effect from caffeine.

The new research2 suggests that drinking coffee could reverse memory problems seen in Alzheimer's disease. As little as 5 cups of ordinary coffee (or 2 typical lattes from your local Starbucks) would be equivalent to the dosage given to the mice in the study.

The results seem to even show that a reversal of existing memory failure, a typical symptom of Alzheimer's, could be possible.

The study used 55 mice which had been bred to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The mice were given tests to confirm they were suffering from memory impairment at the age at which mice become senior citizens - between 18 and 19 months old. Half the mice were given caffeine in their drinking water, the control group were given plain water.

When the test were repeated after two months, the ones who were given the caffeine performed much better on tests measuring their memory and thinking skills than previously, and even performed as well as mice of the same age without the dementia. The control group without caffeine did not improve at all.

Earlier research by the same team had shown younger mice, who had also been bred to develop Alzheimer's but who were given caffeine in their early adulthood, were protected against the onset of memory problems.

Of course, warnings3 were sounded by charities concerned with Alzheimer's, indicating that more research would be required to see if the result also applied in humans. But the fact that caffeine is considered a safe drug for most people. Millions drink 5 or more cups a day and it seems they may even be able to point to a good reason for doing so.

1. 1. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences - School of Medicine and Health Sciences researchers make strides against Alzheimers
2. 2. University of South Florida Health - Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center studies demonstrate caffeine markedly reduced the hallmark protein for Alzheimer’s disease in their brains and blood
3. 3. BBC News - Health - Coffee 'may reverse Alzheimer's'