Two Compounds in Coffee Prevent the Toxic Accumulation of Proteins in the Brain

A mouse study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found both caffeine and the compound EHT prevent alpha-synuclein from accumulating in the brain, suggesting coffee could help ward off Parkinson's and dementia with lewy bodies, reports London's the Daily Mail . The investigators are hoping caffeine and EHT could be combined into a drug to treat these diseases in humans. The animals used in the experiment were genetically predisposed to have alpha-synuclein aggregate in their brain. They were administered either 50mg/kg of caffeine, 12mg/kg of EHT, or both every day for six months. Neither compound had any effect by itself, but the mice who received both compounds had higher test scores on their motor, learning, and memory skills. Post-mortem examination of their brains showed EHT and caffeine together boosted the activity of the protein PP2A, preventing accrual of alpha-synuclein clumps while also reducing brain inflammation. "It is important that the appropriate amount and ratio of caffeine to ETH be determined so people don't over-caffeinate themselves, as that can have negative health consequences," said Rutgers University's M. Maral Mouradian.