A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Dopaminergic effects of caffeine in the human striatum and thalamus
Authors: Kaasinen V, Aalto S, Nagren K, Rinne JO
Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
Publication year: 2004
Journal: NeuroReport
Journal name in source: NEUROREPORT
Journal acronym: NEUROREPORT
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
First page : 281
Last page: 285
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0959-4965
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.wnr.0000109985.85243.b0
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that caffeine, an adenosine receptor antagonist, reduces the risk for Parkinson's disease. There are indications of specific interactions between striatal adenosine A(2A) and dopamine D-2 receptors, but the in vivo effects of caffeine on human dopamine system have not been investigated. In the present study, the dopaminergic effects of caffeine were examined with [C-II]raclopride positron emission tomography (PET) in eight healthy habitual coffee drinkers after 24 h caffeine abstinence. Compared to oral placebo, 200 mg oral caffeine induced a 12% decrease in midline thalamic binding potential (p < 0.001). A trend-level increase in ventral striatal [C-II]raclopride binding potential was seen with a correlation between caffeine-related arousal and putaminal dopamine D-2 receptor binding (r = -0.81, p = 0.03). The findings indicate that caffeine has effects on dopaminergic neurotransmission in the human brain, which may be differential in the striatum and the thalamus.
Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that caffeine, an adenosine receptor antagonist, reduces the risk for Parkinson's disease. There are indications of specific interactions between striatal adenosine A(2A) and dopamine D-2 receptors, but the in vivo effects of caffeine on human dopamine system have not been investigated. In the present study, the dopaminergic effects of caffeine were examined with [C-II]raclopride positron emission tomography (PET) in eight healthy habitual coffee drinkers after 24 h caffeine abstinence. Compared to oral placebo, 200 mg oral caffeine induced a 12% decrease in midline thalamic binding potential (p < 0.001). A trend-level increase in ventral striatal [C-II]raclopride binding potential was seen with a correlation between caffeine-related arousal and putaminal dopamine D-2 receptor binding (r = -0.81, p = 0.03). The findings indicate that caffeine has effects on dopaminergic neurotransmission in the human brain, which may be differential in the striatum and the thalamus.
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