Could Coffee Be the Saving Grace for Multiple Sclerosis

Could that morning pot of gold prevent Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? While many experts recommend limiting caffeine because of possible negative effects on diabetes and some other medical conditions, a recent study has shown coffee to have warded off the animal form of MS.

The new study involved mice that were given a shot to force the mice to develop a condition like MS in humans. However, those that were given the equivalent to 6 to 8 cups of coffee a day avoided developing the animal form of MS, called EAE or experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, stated Dr. Linda Thompson, a member of the team reporting the findings in the National Academy of Sciences.

During the study, researchers monitored the progress of mice that would normally have developed EAE. Thompson explained that the caffeine prevented one of the four building blocks of DNA, known as adenosine, from binding to the adenosine receptor in the mice. Because adenosine wasn't able to bind to the receptor, it prevented the white blood cells known as T cells, from reaching the central nervous system and starting the domino effect that leads to EAE.

An autoimmune disease, MS effect around 400,000 Americans. Many experts believe MS occurs when a persons body, through its immune system, attacks its own tissue. Doctors are unsure of the direct cause of MS, but feel it may result from a virus or environmental factor. Symptoms include the lack of muscle and bladder control, numbness, weakness, and speech and vision problems. MS sufferers usually experience symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40.

Coffee was first experienced in the ninth century and since has grown to be one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Coffee is readily available in today's world ranging in form from fresh ground brewed specialty coffee to your grocery store canned coffee. Coffee has played an important role in several societies throughout history and gives many people that little extra kick in the mornings and could possibly also be holding MS from invading our bodies.

Scientists recognize mice are not people and that the same results may not occur when the same concepts are tested in humans, and therefore many more tests are needed. They feel the next big step will be to apply the current research concepts on humans and study the results. If the human tests prove that caffeine can prevent MS, then the hope is to develop a new drug that would prevent adenosine from being formed, or prevent T-cells from attacking the central nervous system, per Thompson. While the new study, hasn't been performed on humans, the results of the mice testing does lend some hope for treatment or even a cure of MS. Currently there are no cures and are very limited treatments without major side effects.