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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Pro

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Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

7

Community contributions welcome

7

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

Cohort Study

Animal

2007 Jan

The study found that blocking the A(2A) brain receptor, like caffeine does, protects against memory damage caused by a protein linked to Alzheimer’s — just like the claim said. Blocking a different receptor (A(1)) didn’t help, which matches the claim too.

Contradicting (0)

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Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

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.

Source Study

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

Score: 7

DOI: 10.1016/J.EXPNEUROL.2006.08.008

Similar Assertions

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.

7

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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.

7

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82%