Memory functions and focussed attention in middle-aged and elderly subjects are unaffected by a low, acute dose of caffeine.
The putative beneficial effects of caffeine on cognitive performance may vary between ages. The acute cognitive effects of 100 g caffeine on memory functions and focussed attention were investigated in sixteen middle-aged (45-60 years) and fourteen elderly (60-75 years) healthy men and women according to a cross-over design. Caffeine did not affect short-term memory span or speed, long-term memory retrieval functions or focussed attention. It is proposed that in middle-aged and elderly subjects cognitive effects may occur predominantly at higher caffeine dosages.
Schmitt
J A J
JA
Experimental Psychopharmacology Unit, Brain and Behaviour Institute, Universiteit Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. j.schmitt@np.unimaas.nl
Hogervorst
E
E
Vuurman
E F P M
EF
Jolles
J
J
Riedel
W J
WJ
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002110:Caffeine