Caffeine boosts enzyme that could protect against dementia

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http://neurosciencenews.com/caffeine-boost-enzyme-dementia-6211/

The enzyme NMNAT2 was found by researchers at IU Bloomington. This enzyme protects neurons from proteins that form into plaques in the brain. Researchers have now discovered 24 compounds that may increase the production of NMNAT2 resulting in enhanced memory and removing harmful proteins. Experimenting with compounds, researchers found caffeine as one of the 24 compounds that may lead to the boost in NMNAT2. Mice that were injected with caffeine and showed higher production of NMNAT2. Though caffeine is not directly linked to dementia through this study, it can open new doors to other researchers for exploring a relationship between dementia and caffeine, also looking into other compounds that may have a relationship with dementia. Along with compounds that increase NMNAT2, researches at IU found 13 that may decrease production. These compounds can help provide future research for discovering what may increase the risk of dementia.


Memory is a topic in class we are currently talking about. We have also learned our brain “washes” its self at night, removing plaques (unwanted proteins) that can cause harm to our brain and impair memory. The enzyme NMNAT2 can remove plaques and protect neurons. Being aware of this enzyme and what may enhance it can help people improve their lifestyle. Working with dementia for many years it is heartbreaking that people’s memories just deteriorate. I think we will someday figure out the cause and be able to slow down the process.

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 3, 2017 at 3:32 AM

    My friend is a health science major, and she actually just shared similar information with me that she learned about the effects of caffeine on dementia. This research could change the lives of a lot of people and I am interested to find out more about the progression of their studies. I wonder if this means that our generation will be less susceptible to developing dementia due to the fact that we consume copious amounts of caffeine?

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