Caffeine blocks a brain chemical called adenosine, and this might help reduce the buildup of sticky clumps in the brain that are linked to Alzheimer’s.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Caffeine and adenosine A(2a) receptor antagonists prevent beta-amyloid (25-35)-induced cognitive deficits in mice.

Cohort Study

Animal

2007 Jan

Caffeine blocks a brain receptor called adenosine A(2A), and this study shows that doing so helps mice stay smarter even when they’re exposed to a harmful protein linked to Alzheimer’s. So yes, caffeine’s action on this receptor seems to protect the brain.

Contradicting (0)

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According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Similar Assertions

Caffeine helps protect brain cells from a harmful protein linked to Alzheimer’s, and scientists think it’s because of a specific part of caffeine’s action—other similar drugs that block the same part also work, but ones that block a different part don’t.

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84%

In mice, a special drug called SCH58261, given daily for four days, works just as well as coffee to protect the brain from memory problems caused by a harmful protein.

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82%

Giving mice caffeine over time, plus a little extra right before exposing them to a brain-toxic protein, helps them remember better and make smarter choices in simple tests.

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73%

Even when there’s a lot more caffeine than the sticky brain proteins involved in Alzheimer’s, caffeine doesn’t stop those proteins from clumping together — so something else in coffee must be doing the real work.

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72%