Open AccessThe neuroprotective effects of caffeine in neurodegenerative diseases
Author(s) -
Kolahdouzan Mahshad,
Hamadeh Mazen J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.12684
Subject(s) - caffeine , neuroprotection , pharmacology , disease , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , medicine , estrogen , animal studies
Summary Caffeine is the most widely used psychostimulant in Western countries, with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic properties. In Alzheimer's disease ( AD ), caffeine is beneficial in both men and women, in humans and animals. Similar effects of caffeine were observed in men with Parkinson's disease ( PD ); however, the effect of caffeine in female PD patients is controversial due to caffeine's competition with estrogen for the estrogen‐metabolizing enzyme, CYP 1A2. Studies conducted in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) showed protective effects of A 2 A R antagonism. A study found caffeine to be associated with earlier age of onset of Huntington's disease ( HD ) at intakes >190 mg/d, but studies in animal models have found equivocal results. Caffeine is protective in AD and PD at dosages equivalent to 3‐5 mg/kg. However, further research is needed to investigate the effects of caffeine on PD in women. As well, the effects of caffeine in ALS , HD and Machado‐Joseph disease need to be further investigated. Caffeine's most salient mechanisms of action relevant to neurodegenerative diseases need to be further explored.