Caffeine; the Forgotten Potential for Parkinson's Disease.
BACKGROUND
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder characterized by loss of dopaminergic fibers in the basal ganglia and presence of Lewy bodies.


RESULTS
The literature suggests that caffeine plays multiple roles in PD. Epidemiological studies showed that caffeine intake was associated with less risk of developing PD, especially in genetically susceptible patients. On the level of Lewy bodies' formation, caffeine binds to α-synuclein protein inducing conformational changes and preventing their aggregation. On the level of mitochondrial stress, caffeine acts as an antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress in PD and therefore, slows the progression of the disease. On the level of dopamine release, the literature suggests that caffeine increases dopamine release and the number of dopamine receptors in the striatum via A2a receptor antagonism.


CONCLUSIONS
As an adjuvant treatment, caffeine interacts with antiparkinsonian medications and can alter levodopa pharmacokinetics, reduce dyskinesia, and improve gait in patients with freezing of gait. In this review, we discussed the potential of caffeine as a possible neuroprotective agent and as an addon therapy for PD.
Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, El-Sharkia, Postal Code: 44519. Egypt.
Ahmed
A
Negida
Medical Research Group of Egypt. Egypt.
Mohamed
M
Elfil
Medical Research Group of Egypt. Egypt.
Attia
Medical Research Group of Egypt. Egypt.
Eslam
E
Farahat
Medical Research Group of Egypt. Egypt.
Mohamed
M
Gabr
Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef. Egypt.
Ahmed
A
Essam
Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria. Egypt.
Doaa
D
Attia
Medical Research Group of Egypt. Egypt.
Hussein
H
Ahmed
D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002110:Caffeine; D007980:Levodopa
Adenosine receptors; Caffeine; Dopamine; Lewy bodies; Parkinson's disease; tremors