Small study shows caffeine could help prevent MS
01 Jul 2008
A small study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal has shown that mice given the equivalent of six to eight cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop a condition similar to multiple sclerosis (MS).
It is hoped that this type of research could lead to insights into how to prevent MS in humans. MS is caused by immune cells entering the central nervous system (CNS) and attacking nerve fibers. The research reported that the caffeine appeared to prevent damage to the CNS.
The researchers used mice with an MS-like condition (called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or EAE) to mimic the development of MS in humans. Caffeine affects the function of a molecule called adenosine, which plays a role in sleep and energy production. When mice were dosed with caffeine, changes in adenosine appeared to have an indirect effect on the ability of immune cells to enter the CNS and the mice did not develop EAE, though the precise reason this happened was not clear.
Dr Linda Thompson, who led the study, said that the next step was to see if humans who drank plenty of coffee showed any signs of being less prone to MS. "If you found a correlation between caffeine intake and reduced MS symptoms, that would point to further studies in humans."
However, even if this were established, coffee might not be a good way to prevent MS. Experts recommend no more than five cups of coffee a day, amid evidence higher doses can worsen diabetes and could also be physically addictive. The Department of Health has also set a limit of six to eight cups a day.
Dr Lee Dunster, Head of Research at the MS Society was also cautious: "Over the years there have been numerous discoveries that have prevented EAE in mice but turning this into effective therapies for humans remains a challenge. Based on the results of this study, we wouldn't advise people to change their caffeine intake."
The researchers used mice with an MS-like condition (called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or EAE) to mimic the development of MS in humans. Caffeine affects the function of a molecule called adenosine, which plays a role in sleep and energy production. When mice were dosed with caffeine, changes in adenosine appeared to have an indirect effect on the ability of immune cells to enter the CNS and the mice did not develop EAE, though the precise reason this happened was not clear.
Dr Linda Thompson, who led the study, said that the next step was to see if humans who drank plenty of coffee showed any signs of being less prone to MS. "If you found a correlation between caffeine intake and reduced MS symptoms, that would point to further studies in humans."
However, even if this were established, coffee might not be a good way to prevent MS. Experts recommend no more than five cups of coffee a day, amid evidence higher doses can worsen diabetes and could also be physically addictive. The Department of Health has also set a limit of six to eight cups a day.
Dr Lee Dunster, Head of Research at the MS Society was also cautious: "Over the years there have been numerous discoveries that have prevented EAE in mice but turning this into effective therapies for humans remains a challenge. Based on the results of this study, we wouldn't advise people to change their caffeine intake."
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