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Acute caffeine intake in humans reduces post exercise performance in learning and memory
Jade Berg1, Jesse Cooper1,2, Chris Salonikas1
1The Australasian Research Institute, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Human Psychopharmacology
|January 25, 2021
Summary
Caffeine consumption before exercise may impair auditory learning and memory in unhabituated individuals. Further research is needed to determine if this effect is linked to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulation.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant.
- Its effects on cognitive functions, particularly post-exercise, require clarification.
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in learning and memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute impact of caffeine on post-exercise memory and learning.
- To examine the relationship between caffeine, exercise, and serum BDNF levels.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with 8 male participants.
- Caffeine (150 mg) or placebo consumed 1 hour before 30-minute cycling sessions.
- Auditory memory assessed, and serum BDNF measured at various time points.
Main Results:
- Caffeine ingestion led to lower scores in learning and memory measures compared to placebo.
- Significant differences observed in learning over time, short-term memory, and retroactive interference.
- Serum mature BDNF (mBDNF):proBDNF ratio increased with exercise, but not significantly different between groups.
Conclusions:
- Pre-exercise caffeine consumption may hinder auditory information processing in unhabituated individuals.
- The precise mechanism, potentially involving caffeine's modulation of brain BDNF, remains to be fully elucidated.
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