Please note the important correction to the press release below. Grams of caffeine has been changed to milligrams.

Media Contacts: Renee Tessman, [email protected], (612) 928-6137 Michelle Uher, [email protected], (612) 928-6120

That Cup of Coffee May Not Relieve Parkinson’s Symptoms

Newswise — MINNEAPOLIS – Contrary to previous research, caffeine may not relieve movement symptoms for people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study published in the September 27, 2017, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

A previous study, published in Neurology in 2012, suggested that caffeine may help reduce movement symptoms for people with Parkinson’s disease. Because the study was small and only six weeks long, the researchers decided to investigate further.

“Caffeine, which is so safe and inexpensive, has been linked to a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s,” said study author Ronald B. Postuma, MD, MSc, McGill University in Montreal and member of the American Academy of Neurology. “So it was exciting to think that it could possibly help people who already have the disease.”

The study involved 121 people with an average age of 62 who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease for an average of four years. Of those, half were given a 200-milligram capsule of caffeine twice daily, once in the morning and once after lunch, the equivalent of three cups of coffee per day, while the other half were given placebo capsules. To help them adjust to the caffeine, the dose was increased slowly, starting with placebo and reaching 200 milligrams at week nine. The study participants were followed for six to 18 months.

Researchers found there was no improvement in movement symptoms for people who had taken the caffeine capsules compared to those who took the placebo capsules. There was also no difference in quality of life. Because of these data showing no benefit to taking caffeine, the study was stopped.

“While our previous study showed possible improvement in symptoms, that study was shorter, so it’s possible that caffeine may have a short-term benefit that quickly dissipates,” said Postuma. “Regardless, our core finding is that caffeine cannot be recommended as therapy for movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.”

“It is important that promising leads be studied,” said Charles B. Hall, PhD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y., who commented on the study for Neurology. “It is also important that the disappointing findings like these be shared so new research can focus on other possible treatments instead.”

One limitation of this study was that researchers did not measure caffeine in the blood of people during the study and it’s possible some may not have adhered to study requirements, affecting results. Also, the caffeine dose chosen was based upon previous studies and it’s possible a higher dose may have different effects. 

The study was supported by the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the Webster Foundation and the FRQS (Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé).

To learn more about Parkinson’s disease, visit www.aan.com/patients.

The American Academy of Neurology is the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with 32,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Journal Link: Neurology®