Could caffeine offer protection against Alzheimer's disease? Researchers from Inserm, the CHU of Lille, and the University of Lille suggest it might. Their recent study, published in
Brain, revealed potential mechanisms by which caffeine could slow the progression of this neurodegenerative disease.
Illustrative image from Pixabay
Alzheimer's disease affects around 900,000 people in France. Currently incurable, it is characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons and the loss of synapses, which are essential for communication between nerve cells. Previous studies have already associated moderate caffeine consumption (two to four cups of coffee per day) with a slowdown in age-related cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's.
The researchers in Lille studied the impact of deregulation of A2A adenosinergic receptors in the brains of patients. When these receptors are overactivated, they promote the loss of synapses in the hippocampus, a key region for memory. By reproducing this phenomenon in mice, the scientists observed an increase in memory disorders.
According to Émilie Faivre, a researcher at the Lille Neuroscience and Cognition research center, the increase in A2A receptors alters the relationship between neurons and microglial cells. This disruption could trigger a cascade of effects resulting in memory disorders. These findings reinforce the importance of testing treatments that target these receptors.
David Blum, a research director at Inserm and co-author of the study, explains that caffeine could block these A2A receptors. Indeed, previous work had already shown that caffeine could reduce cognitive impairment in mice with Alzheimer's disease. This hypothesis is currently being tested in a phase 3 clinical trial conducted by the CHU of Lille. This trial evaluates the effect of 400 mg of caffeine per day on patients with early to moderate forms of the disease.
The results of this trial, expected in 2026, could pave the way for new preventive or therapeutic treatments based on caffeine. In the meantime, researchers recommend consuming coffee or tea, as theine and caffeine are the same molecule.
Article by: Cédric DEPOND