Researchers at Montreal's McGill University and investigators in Toronto and Brazil have found positive results in controlling some of the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease by using caffeine.
The symptoms most often associated
with Parkinson's are tremor (shaking), slowness of movement and
rigidity. However, there are many other symptoms of Parkinson's, not all
of which affect movement.
The different types of Parkinson's symptoms are often divided
into 2 categories: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. Motor symptoms are related to movement, while non-motor symptoms
include problems such as pain, depression, constipation and
sweating.
Earlier studies involved much higher or lower ends of the scale when it came to giving caffeine to the subjects. The most recent study gave 200mg of caffeine, about the same as 3 - 4 cups of strong tea, or a placebo.
On average,
those in the caffeine group showed a five-point improvement in symptom
severity ratings compared with those who weren't taking caffeine.
Dr. Michael Schwarzschild, of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said in an editorial that caffeine seems to block a malfunctioning brain signal in Parkinson's disease. The researchers did also make it clear that at this stage it is not clear if there will be long lasting effects. Dr. Schwarzschild said"Although current data do not warrant a recommendation of caffeine as a
therapeutic intervention in Parkinson's disease, they can reasonably be
taken into consideration when discussing dietary caffeine use."
original item, also here.
Stay Healthy!
Comments