A recent Italian study revealed that the main components of "espresso" coffee may protect against protein aggregation in the brain associated with Alzheimer's, giving scientists a new treatment for the disease.
According to a report by Science Alert, it is not known how Alzheimer's begins or develops, but aggressive build-ups of a protein called tau in the brain are the main suspects in the disease.
A team of scientists at the University of Verona in Italy focused on the effects of coffee compounds on tau protein clumps, after previous research linked caffeine to protection against cognitive decline.
The team discovered that the concentrated caffeine found in the espresso drink reduced the likelihood of clumps of tau protein, which is suspected of causing Alzheimer's disease.
It is worth noting that Alzheimer's is a "brain disorder that worsens over time," characterized by changes in the brain that lead to deposits of certain proteins, and is the most common cause of dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Scientists hope that the results of this study will eventually lead to preventive or therapeutic treatments for Alzheimer's disease, and other brain diseases that affect cognitive ability.
Source: Qatar News Agency