Summary: New research unveils a significant correlation between caffeine consumption and a lowered risk of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) for individuals with Asian gene variants linked to the disorder.

The study involving 4,488 subjects disclosed that regular consumption of tea or coffee curtailed the risk of developing PD by four to eight times compared to non-caffeine drinkers who have the gene. Furthermore, the protective benefits appeared to escalate with higher caffeine doses, though even modest consumption below 200mg per day was beneficial.

The findings spotlight caffeine’s potential in mitigating neuroinflammation and cell death, though the exact interaction with Asian PD gene variants remains to be explored.

Key Facts:

1. Risk Reduction: Regular caffeine consumers with PD gene variants have a 4-8 times lower risk of PD compared to non-caffeine drinkers with the gene.
2. Average Intake: Participants consumed an average of 448.3 mg and 473.0 mg of caffeine in PD cases and healthy controls respectively, equivalent to about 4-5 cups of Western brewed Arabica coffee.
3. Population Impact: Up to 10% of Singapore’s population carries one of the two known Asian gene variants associated with a 1.5 to 2 times higher PD risk.

Source: Singhealth

People with Asian gene variants that are linked to PD and who regularly drink tea or coffee containing caffeine have a four to eight times lower risk of getting the condition compared to non-caffeine drinkers who carry the PD genes, according to new research by the National Neuroscience Institute.

In fact, tea and coffee drinkers who carry the PD gene lower their risk of PD to below that of non-caffeine drinkers who do not carry the gene.

“Caffeine is known to have a potential protective effect against PD and other neurodegenerative conditions, but we have shown that it can significantly cut the risk of PD and level the playing field for Asians who are genetically at higher risk of PD and are currently symptom-free,” said the study’s Principal Investigator, Professor Tan Eng King, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Academic Affairs) and Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute.

Announcing the findings today at the 10^th Singapore International Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Symposium, Prof Tan said that caffeine is known to decrease inflammation of neurons in the brain which helps to reduce cell death, but it is not yet known how caffeine interacts with the Asian PD gene variants.

The study, which involved 4,488 subjects, showed that those with Asian specific genetic variants have a 1.5 to 2 times higher risk of developing PD. There are two known Asian gene variants which occur most frequently in East Asians. Up to 10% of the Singapore population carry one of these gene variants which are located in the coding region (responsible for translating into proteins).   

All participants completed a validated caffeine intake questionnaire. The average caffeine dose intake of study participants was 448.3 mg among PD cases and 473.0 mg in the healthy controls – the equivalent of 4 to 5 cups of Western style brewed Arabica coffee (235ml/8 fl oz per cup) or 2 cups of traditional Singapore kopi made from Robusta coffee beans, which have a higher caffeine content than Arabica coffee beans.

While the protective benefits of caffeine also appeared to increase with higher doses, those who drank less than 200mg of caffeine per day still cut their risk of PD. Taking 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is generally regarded as a safe intake for most healthy adults.

Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurodegenerative condition globally and more than 8,000 people are living with PD in Singapore. This only represents the tip of the iceberg as a recent study by NNI showed that 26% of the local older population exhibit mild parkinsonian signs.  Prof Tan says that these findings are a positive step forward in the fight to prevent this disabling condition.

“This research has important implications for the prevention of PD, especially in countries like Singapore where the Asian gene variants are common. Tea and coffee are readily available and culturally accepted in most Asian societies and consuming caffeine within normal limits offers an easy, pleasant and sociable way for people to potentially reduce their risk of PD.”

About this Parkinson’s disease research news

Author: Anjana Krishna
Source: Singhealth
Contact: Anjana Krishna – Singhealth
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.
“Caffeine intake interacts with Asian gene variants in Parkinson’s disease: a study in 4488 subjects” by Margaret Perry et al. The Lancet

Abstract

Caffeine intake interacts with Asian gene variants in Parkinson’s disease: a study in 4488 subjects

Background

Caffeine intake reduces risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the interaction with genes is unclear. The interaction of caffeine with genetic variants in those at high PD risk has healthcare importance. We investigate interactions of caffeine intake with risk variants found in Asians, and determine PD risk estimates in caffeine-drinkers carrying these variants.

Methods

PD patients and controls without neurological disorders were included. Caffeine intake was assessed using a validated evaluation tool. Leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) risk variants were genotyped. Statistical analysis was conducted with logistic regression models. Gene-caffeine interactions were quantified using attributable proportion (AP) due to interaction (positive interaction defined as AP >0).

Findings

5100 subjects were screened and 4488 subjects (1790 PD, 2698 controls) with genetic data of at least one LRRK2 variant were included. Risk-variant-carriers who were non-caffeine-drinkers had increased PD odds compared to wildtype carriers who were caffeine-drinkers for G2385R [OR 8.6 (2.6–28.1) p < 0.001; AP = 0.71], R1628P [OR 4.6 (1.6–12.8) p = 0.004; AP = 0.50] and S1647T [OR 4.0 (2.0–8.1) p < 0.001; AP = 0.55] variants.

Interpretation

Caffeine intake interacts with LRRK2 risk variants across three different groups of gene carriers. Asymptomatic risk-variant-carriers who are non-caffeine-drinkers have four to eight times greater PD risk compared to wildtype-caffeine-drinkers. Lifestyle modifications to mitigate PD risk in asymptomatic healthy risk variant carriers have potential roles in our Asian cohort.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Medical Research Council (STaR and PD OF LCG 000207 grants) and Duke-NUS Medical School.