Caffeine Effects In The Brain

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Caffeine Effects In The Brain

Caffeine acts in a multitude of ways in the brain. The

most recent studies explore the cooperative effects of

adenosine and dopamine, as well as the increase in calcium

in the interstitial fluid and possible accumulation of

cyclic adenosine monophospate. The most popular discussions

of earlier studies of caffeine demonstrate its antagonistic

effects on adenosine receptors. While it has been reported

that adenosine receptors are located throughout the brain,

the various subtypes can be found in very specific areas.

Studies have also shown that caffeine reactions in the brain

are based on the localization of adenosine receptors,

dopamine receptors, and the amount of caffeine.

Historically, the first behavior of caffeine in the

brain to be noticed was the stimulation of the release of

caffeine from intracellular storage sites. (Daly, 1999) In

research done by Garrett and Griffiths (1997) caffeine was

shown to mobilize intracellular calcium by reducing the

calcium uptake and stimulating calcium release. Caffeine

would attach to a calcium channel in this way activating it

and releasing calcium from the "calcium-sensitive"

pool.(Daly, 1999) Due to the importance of calcium

concentrations for the release of neurotransmitters, Garrett

determined, "…mobilization of intracellular calcium has been

proposed as a possible mechanism underlying the behavioral

effects of caffeine" (p.534). However, this determination

was made in vitro and required nearly toxic levels of

caffeine, levels that would rarely be ingested by humans.

(Garrett, 1997; Daly 1999) [See Table 1]

The next effect is the forcing of accumulation of

cyclic adenosine monophos...

... middle of paper ...

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