Dietary Caffeine and Young Children: Implications for Health - Caffeine: Chemistry, Analysis, Function and Effects - page 364

Caffeine: An alkaloid, most typically found in plants, that is used as a
stimulant drug. It is the world's most widely used psychoactive drug (drug with
effects on thinking, emotions, and/or behavior).
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): A US government agency
charged with protecting public health and safety by providing information to
the public about disease prevention and by coordinating efforts to contain
outbreaks of contagious disease.
Circadian: Relating to the natural daily cycle (roughly 24 hours long) of
biochemical processes that is present in many life forms.
CNS (Central nervous system): The brain and spinal cord.
CNS arousal: A condition involving increased blood pressure, increased heart
rate, and an increased ability to perceive and react to stimuli.
Depression: A psychological state characterized mainly by negative emotions
(e.g., sadness), negative thoughts (e.g., guilt, thoughts of worthlessness,
thoughts of suicide), and a slowing down or absence of behaviors (e.g., not
participating in activities that were formerly found to be pleasant.)
Detrusor instability: An instability of the detrusor urinae muscle, which is the
primary muscle in the bladder that contracts in order to expel urine and relaxes
in order to allow the bladder to fill with urine.
Diuresis: Increased production of urine, typically accompanied by increased
urination.
Dopaminergic effects: Effects in the CNS focused on receptors sensitive to the
neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopaminergic effects often involve learning and
reward-seeking behavior.
Energy drink: A broad class of beverages sold on the basis of claims about their
ability to promote energy and wakefulness. Energy drinks typically have large
amounts of caffeine and sugars, but also typically include other additives
which are promoted as energy-producing.
Food Standards Agency (UK): A department of the government of the United
Kingdom, charged with regulating products sold as food in order to protect
public health and safety.
Food and Drug Administration (US): An agency of the United States federal
government, charged with regulating products sold as food and as drugs in
order to protect public health and safety.
Health Canada: A department of the federal government of Canada, charged
with protecting the public health.
Melatonin: A chemical that is naturally present in the brain and which is
involved in the regulation of the circadian rhythm.
Motor effects: Effects on movement of skeletal muscles, typically mediated
through the motor cortex of the brain.
Psychomotor

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speed: The relationship between perceiving a stimulus and

reacting to it via motor movement.
Temperament: The aspects of personality that are innate, i.e., not learned.