Caffeine Reduces Alzheimer's Risk

TAMPA, Fla.Caffeine consumption may help treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease, according to two new studies from Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center published in the July 5 online edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

In the studies, researchers found a daily dose of 500 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent to five 8-ounce cups of coffee, reversed memory issues in mice. After two months on daily caffeine, the mine, which were bred to develop Alzheimer-like symptoms, scored just as well on memory tests as normal mice.

The studies also found caffeine reduced the mices excessive blood and brain levels of beta amyloid, the protein linked to characteristic plaque found in human Alzheimer's disease.

Past work at the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center found caffeine in early adulthood appeared to prevent memory problems from occurring in these specially bred mice, and caffeine reduces beta amyloid levels in elderly people without dementia just as quickly as it does in the mice bred to have Alzheimer's symptoms.