Association of Coffee Consumption with MRI Markers and Cognitive Function: A Population-Based Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Epidemiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Coffee is a globally popular beverage with significant research interest in its effects on cognition and dementia.
• Understanding coffee's impact on brain health is crucial given its widespread consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between coffee consumption and preclinical markers of dementia using brain MRI.
• To examine the relationship between coffee intake and cognitive performance in a large population-based cohort.

Main Methods:

• The Rotterdam Study cohort included 2,914 participants (mean age 59.3 years, 55% female).
• Brain MRI, cognitive assessments, and coffee consumption data were collected at baseline and after 5 years for longitudinal analysis.
• Statistical models (logistic and linear regression) were used to analyze associations, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• Higher coffee consumption correlated with a reduced prevalence of lacunar infarcts (OR per cup increase: 0.88).
• Increased coffee intake was associated with smaller hippocampal volume but improved performance on executive function tests (Letter Digit Substitution, Word Fluency, Stroop).
• Worse performance was noted on the 15-Word Learning test delayed recall with higher coffee consumption; longitudinal analyses did not confirm these cognitive associations.

Conclusions:

• Coffee consumption exhibits complex associations with brain structure and cognitive function.
• Cross-sectional data suggest higher coffee intake is linked to reduced lacunar infarcts and enhanced executive function, alongside diminished hippocampal volume and memory function.