Could caffeine in the blood help diagnose Parkinson’s?

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 31 January 2018

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coffee beans roasted,instant and ground coffee

Blood caffeine levels could be promising diagnostic biomarkers for early-stage Parkinson’s, Japanese researchers reported in the journal ‘Neurology’ earlier this month.

The study found that people with Parkinson’s had lower levels of caffeine and caffeine metabolites in their blood than people without the disease, at the same consumption rate.

Caffeine concentrations also were decreased in Parkinson’s patients with motor fluctuations than in those without Parkinson’s. However, patients in more severe disease stages did not have lower caffeine levels.

The study’s authors, Dr David Munoz, University of Toronto, and Dr Shinsuke Fujioka, Fukuoka University, suggested that the “decrease in caffeine metabolites occurs from the earliest stages of Parkinson’s.”

They added: “If a future study were to demonstrate similar decreases in caffeine in untreated patients with Parkinson’s […] the implications of the current study would take enormous importance.”

For comprehensive information about Parkinson’s diagnosis please visit the EPDA website.

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Could caffeine in the blood help diagnose Parkinson’s?

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 31 January 2018

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Billy Connolly writes moving letters to grandchildren as he battles Parkinson’s

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Can awakening dormant neurons reverse Parkinson’s motor symptoms?

Parkinson’s could be present from birth, study finds

Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

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Could caffeine in the blood help diagnose Parkinson’s?

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 31 January 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Interviews

Pedalling for Parkinson’s

Perspectives

Billy Connolly writes moving letters to grandchildren as he battles Parkinson’s

PD in Practice

The ‘Starbucks formula’: a new approach to Parkinson’s treatment that’s going global

Can awakening dormant neurons reverse Parkinson’s motor symptoms?

Parkinson’s could be present from birth, study finds

Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

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