Parkinson’s disease is one of the most complex neurodegenerative conditions. With no existing cure, research is targeting a number of unique possibilities for a solution. One of the most recent is a link between Parkinson’s disease and caffeine levels in the blood, and the volunteers at Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson’s (CAP)  in Windsor, CT, are excited to share. They’re committed to keeping patients and their families updated on research and findings, as well as bringing people with the disease together for outreach and education.

Parkinson’s Disease & Blood Caffeine Levels

When you consume caffeine, a certain quantity can be identified in a blood test. Recent research shows that patients with early-onset symptoms have a lower concentration of caffeine in their blood compared with people who consumed the same amount. The study, titled “Serum caffeine and metabolites are reliable biomarkers of early Parkinson’s disease,” was conducted by a research team at the Jutendo University School of Medicine and published in the journal Neurology.

The study focused on 108 participants diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease six years earlier and 31 participants of equal age that did not have the disease. During the study, participants were tested for blood caffeine levels and for 11 byproducts the body produces as it metabolizes caffeine. The results showed that despite consuming the same amount of caffeine, the participants with Parkinson’s disease had a lower blood caffeine concentration.

These findings are significant because they may not only help with early Parkinson’s disease detection, but also act as a biomarker to understand disease progression. This could lead to better management to improve patients’ quality of life and contribute to research based on developing a cure.

If you’re interested in staying up to date with Parkinson’s research and having access to a number of resources, turn to Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson’s (CAP). Their volunteers are devoted to improving the lives of patients with Parkinson’s disease and offer assistance in a number of ways. Call (860) 266-6040 to speak with a volunteer and visit their website and Facebook to learn more.