Caffeine Versus Adenosine, the Perks for Your Brain on Caffeine

In our brains we wage a war against the molecule adenosin, a neuro transmitter, that it tries to pull us into a stupor; luckily caffeine is here to intervene. Everyday, an army of adenosine molecules assaults our neurons and causes our brains to slow. But caffeine mediates the siege and steps in-between us and adenosine.  Two groups, one out of the U.S. Institute of Health led by Stephen Simons and one out of the University of South Carolina led by Mark Davis are chronicling the battle of the interactions between adenosine and caffeine inside us all.

The battleground of your brain is made up of cells called neurons. Their unique shape allows them to form networks in which chemical signals pass from neuron to neuron across small gaps. Throughout the day, adenosine floods your neurons, sticking to special receptors, causing the neurons to struggle to begin the chemical cascade that allows the neuron to pass signals. The more adenosine on a neuron, the more sluggish your neurons are and the more tired and fatigued you become.  Caffeine comes to the rescue, perking you up by sneakily sitting in-between these receptors, blocking their access. In fact, caffeine blocks adenosine receptors so well, that it makes your neurons fire faster. On a macro level, caffeine driven increases in neuron firing lead to interesting consequences for learning, memory, and exercise.

Let us say for instance, that you’ve had a two of cups of coffee before a long night of activity. The Simons team found, that amount of caffeine you ingested is enough to markedly increase neuron firing in the hippocampal region of your brain--this area is most heavily associated with learning and memory. The increase actually promotes the formation of connections between nuerons and may improve memory and increase rates of learning. Or let’s say that you decided to run on a treadmill. The Davis team found, that if you normally became tired after ten minutes, with the same amount of coffee, you could run for a maximum of five additional minutes--an increase of up to 50%. Now I am not suggesting that you chug a bunch of energy drinks, but to stave off fatigue while writing a paper or in the gym, you could enjoy a cup of Joe.

To Delve Even Deeper:

Check out this Wiki article on long term potentiation in neurons! 

Sources:

Papers:

Stephen B. Simmons, "Caffeine-induced Synaptic Potentiation in Hippocampal CA2 Neurons," Nature NeuroScience 15 (2009): 23-25.

Mark J. Davis, "Central Nervous System Effects of Caffeine and Adenosine on Fatigue," American Journal of Physiology, Regulatory, Integrative, Comparative physiology 284 (2002): R399-R404.

Extra Help/Background Info:

Selena Coppock, editor., Biology Review (New York, Random House, Inc, 2010), 229-264.