Coffee Could Help The Elder Prevent Memory Loss

Dr Martin Vreugdenhil, of the University of Birmingham, leading his research team made the discovery after conducting a caffeine study on mouse neurons in his lab.

Boosting gamma rhythms (a  kind of brain electrical activity), produced by the synchronised firing of nerve cells 40 times a second, aids memory and learning. It involves a brain chemical called adenosine - present in especially high levels in the elderly.

When adenosine binds to a molecular receptor on brain cells called A1, it reduces the activity of neurons and lessens the strength of gamma rhythms. Synchronised nerve cell activity plays a key role in information processing, which is why gamma rhythms increase when people attempt to solve complex mental problems.

Caffeine prevents adenosine binding to the A1 receptor, thereby blocking its effects and boosting gamma rhythms.

At the same time, he warned drinking too much coffee could cause some adverse effects on sleeping, heart and blood system etc. link

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