CAFFEINE CAN ENHANCE LONG-TERM MEMORY
Numerous studies have suggested that caffeine
has many health benefits. Now, research suggests that a dose of caffeine after
a learning session may help to boost long-term memory. This is according to a
study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
The research team, led by Daniel Borota of the
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, notes that although previous research
has analyzed the effects of caffeine as a cognitive enhancer, whether caffeine
can impact long-term memory has not been studied in detail.
To find out, the investigators analyzed 160
participants aged between 18 and 30 years.
On the first day of the study, the
participants were shown pictures of different objects and were asked to
identify them as "indoor" or "outdoor" items.
Soon after this task, they were randomized to
receive either 200 mg of caffeine in the form of a pill, or a placebo tablet.
The next day, the participants were shown the
same pictures as well as some new ones. The researchers asked them to identify
whether the pictures were "new," "old" or "similar to
the original pictures."
200
mg of caffeine 'enhanced memory'
From this, the researchers found that subjects
who took the caffeine were better at identifying pictures that were similar,
compared with participants who took the placebo.
However, the researchers note that both groups
were able to accurately distinguish whether pictures were old or new.
The team conducted further experiments using
100 mg and 300 mg doses of caffeine. They found that performance was better
after the 200 mg dose, compared with the 100 mg dose, but there was no
improvement after the 300 mg of caffeine, compared with 200 mg.
"Thus, we conclude that a dose of at
least 200 mg is required to observe the enhancing effect of caffeine on
consolidation of memory," the study authors write.
The team also found that memory performance
was not improved if subjects were given caffeine 1 hour before carrying out the
picture identification test.
They investigators say there are many
possibilities as to how caffeine may enhance long-term memory.
For example, they say it may block a molecule
called adenosine, preventing it from stopping the function of norepinephrine -
a hormone that has been shown to have positive effects on memory.
They note that further research should be
conducted to better understand the mechanisms by which caffeine affects
long-term memory.
They add:
"Given the widespread use of caffeine and
the growing interest in its effects both as a cognitive enhancer and as a
neuroprotectant, these questions are of critical importance."
Potential benefits and risks of caffeine
consumption
According to the latest figures from the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the average American consumes 300 mg of
caffeine a day. The main sources of the compound are coffee, tea and soft
drinks.
Many studies have suggested that caffeine
offers health benefits. Last year, Medical News Today reported on a study
suggesting that caffeinated drinks may reduce the risk of liver disease; while
another study says drinking 2-4 cups of coffee a day may reduce suicide risk.
But it is not all good news. One study
suggests that the stimulant is able to disrupt sleep patterns hours after
consuming it, while another proposes that caffeine from energy drinks may alter
heart function.
Source: medicalnewstoday.com
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