Does Caffeine Consumption Modify Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid-β Levels in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease?

Maria Travassos, Isabel Santana, Inês Baldeiras, Magda Tsolaki, Olymbia Gkatzima, Genc Sermin, Görsev G Yener, Anja Hviid Simonsen, Steen G Hasselbalch, Elisabeth Kapaki, Bourbouli Mara, Rodrigo A Cunha, Paula Agostinho, Kaj Blennow, Henrik Zetterberg, Vera M Mendes, Bruno Manadas, Alexandreça de Mendon

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Caffeine may be protective against Alzheimer's disease (AD) by modulating amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolic pathways. The present work aimed to study a possible association of caffeine consumption with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, particularly Aβ. The study included 88 patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment. The consumption of caffeine and theobromine was evaluated using a validated food questionnaire. Quantification of caffeine and main active metabolites was performed with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The levels of Aβ1-42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau in the CSF were determined using sandwich ELISA methods and other Aβ species, AβX-38, AβX-40, and AβX-42, with the MSD Aβ Triplex assay. The concentration of caffeine was 0.79±1.15 μg/mL in the CSF and 1.20±1.88 μg/mL in the plasma. No correlation was found between caffeine consumption and Aβ42 in the CSF. However, a significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of theobromine, both in the CSF and in the plasma, with Aβ42 in the CSF. Theobromine in the CSF was positively correlated with the levels of other xanthines in the CSF, but not in the plasma, suggesting that it may be formed by central metabolic pathways. In conclusion, caffeine consumption does not modify the levels of CSF biomarkers, and does not require to be controlled for when measuring CSF biomarkers in a clinical setting. Since theobromine is associated with a favorable Aβ profile in the CSF, the possibility that it might have a protective role in AD should be further investigated.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume47
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)1069-78
Number of pages10
ISSN1387-2877
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Aug 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Does Caffeine Consumption Modify Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid-β Levels in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this