Alzheimer's researchers find coffee boosts memory
Last updated 7/7/2009 12:25:51 PM
Alzheimers researchers find coffee boosts memory
Here's promising news for the growing cafe culture which has grown up in the UK over the last decade. Researchers in the US have shown that caffeine can boost memory in mice with Alzheimer's symptoms.
The Alzheimer's Research Trust says that currently it's not clear whether caffeine can have the same effect in people but researchers are now carrying out trials to see if caffeine can be beneficial for people with Alzheimer's.
Welcoming the research, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the Trust's Chief Executive Rebecca Wood, said: "In this study on mice with symptoms of Alzheimer's, researchers found that caffeine boosted their memory.
"We need to do more research to find out whether this effect will be seen in people. It is too early to say whether drinking coffee or taking caffeine supplements will help people with Alzheimer's."
Rebecca added: "With no cure yet, research into treatments that could help people with Alzheimer's is vitally important."
The Alzheimer's Research Trust says that with dementia affecting over 700,000 people in the UK today - a figure forecast to double within a generation - there is an urgent need for more research to find ways to prevent, treat or cure this devastating disease.
For more information go to http://alzheimers.org.uk
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