title: The impact of caffeine use across the lifespan on cognitive performance in elderly women.
abstract: Habitual caffeine consumption has often been associated with decreasing age-related cognitive decline. However, whether habitual caffeine use preferentially spares different cognitive processes is unclear. Furthermore, whether basing habitual caffeine consumption patterns on current consumption or on a lifetime measure better represents an individual's use remains unclear. In the present study, we collected information from women, aged 56-83, about their current caffeine consumption patterns and history of use, including age they began consuming caffeine. Regression models assessed the relationship between caffeine consumption and performance on batteries designed to probe speed of processing, inhibition, memory, and executive function. While we found no direct associations between caffeine exposure and cognitive performance, we found that caffeine consumption and participant BMI interacted for inhibitory function and speed of processing performance. We discuss possible protective effects of long term caffeine use as well as the possibility of dose dependent effects.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, USA. Electronic address: clinton.perry@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Clinton S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, USA.
authors.forename: Ayanna K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, USA.
authors.forename: Holly A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, USA.
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Jacques
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, USA.
authors.forename: Robin B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Kanarek
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine
keywords: Aging; BMI; Caffeine; Individual differences