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Ab-induced cognitive impairments in the inhibitory avoidance and sponta-
neous alternation tasks showing that prolonged (12 days) caffeine adminis-
tration could provide protection against memory deficits in these tasks
(Dall'Igna et al 2007). On the same vein, in a transgenic mouse model of AD,
Arendash and colleagues (2009) reported memory restoration and reversal of
histopathological signs (hippocampal Ab) after 4 to 5 weeks of caffeine
administration in their drinking water.
In summary, caffeine attenuates either motor and non-motor symptoms (PD
and animal models) and cognitive impairments (AD and animal models) (see
Figure 14.4). Further investigations are necessary for an insight and complete
understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) implicated in these effects.
Furthermore, beneficial effects might originate, besides from caffeine, also
from other beverages (tea, chocolate) rich of coffee-components (phenolic
acids, Mg
++
, chlorogenic acid, cafestol, trigonelline) with antioxidant actions.
This is supported by in vitro (Chu et al 2009) and in vivo studies (Trinh et al
2010) in fly models of PD and AD. In conclusion, caffeine-mediated
prevention of the appearance of pathophysiological signs characteristics of
PD and AD might represent in the future the most useful experimental
approach to explain the epidemiologically documented efficacy of caffeine,
caffeinated, and perhaps decaffeinated, beverages on these neurodegenerative
diseases.
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Key Facts
Alzheimer's disease: This neurodegenerative and terminal disease was
described for the first time by Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Alzheimer's disease
is commonly diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, but early-onset
Alzheimer's disease can also occur. Although the development of Alzheimer's
disease is peculiar to every person affected, there are some common symptoms.
In an early phase, the most common symptom is inability to acquire new
memories, with difficulty in recalling recently observed events. As the disease
progresses, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood
swings, language breakdown, memory loss. Bodily functions are progressively
lost and this ultimately leads to death.
In vivo Brain Microdialysis: Sampling technique used for continuous
measurement of the concentration of free, unbound molecules in the
extracellular fluid. These might virtually be any endogenous compound (e.g.
neurotransmitter, ions, etc.) that satisfy the criteria to be unbound in the
extracellular fluid and to have a molecular weight below the cut-off of the
dialytic membrane. Brain microdialysis can also be used to assess the
concentration in the extracellular fluid of exogenous compounds (e.g.
medications), and of metabolites of either endogenous and exogenous
compounds. The microdialysis technique requires the insertion of a small
microdialysis probe into the tissue in order to reach the brain nuclei of interest
(usually under stereotaxic coordinates). The microdialysis probe is designed to
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