Used coffee beans could hold the key to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease prevention with their beneficial compounds that can protect brain cells from damage.
A new study published in the journal Environmental Research, says the pathbreaking treatment can be offered in the form of a pill in future. With the twin benefit. With its eco-friendly appeal and lack of side effects, the treatment could be cheap and may provide an easy solution to prevent degenerative diseases.
The magic ingredient - caffeic-acid-based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs), which could be conveniently obtained from spent coffee beans can potentially protect brain cells from damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases triggered by obesity, age and exposure to pesticides and other toxic environmental chemicals, say the scientists, from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The pioneering work is led by Jyotish Kumar, a doctoral student in UTEP's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, under the guidance of Professor Mahesh Narayan, Ph.D.
"Caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots have the potential to be transformative in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders," explains Kumar, adding that this approach aims to address the root causes of these conditions, and not just symptoms. "Our goal is to find a cure by addressing the atomic and molecular underpinnings that drive these diseases."
What are neurodegenerative diseases?They are conditions that develop slowly, gradually damaging and destroying parts of nervous system, especially areas of your brain. The symptoms typically begin with signs of confusion, memory loss, trouble thinking or concentrating, and over time may affect day-to-day functioning and could be life-threatening.
The most common neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Huntington's disease, spinal muscular atrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia.
The research team suggests that the treatment can help address very early stages of a condition such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, and could be effective in preventing full-on disease.
Dr. Mahesh Narayan, a professor and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the same department as Kumar, feels these diseases must be tackled at their rudimentary stages.
He added that the abundance of coffee grounds can make the treatment both economical and sustainable.
“It is critical to address these disorders before they reach the clinical stage,” Dr. Narayan said.
Video
A new study published in the journal Environmental Research, says the pathbreaking treatment can be offered in the form of a pill in future. With the twin benefit. With its eco-friendly appeal and lack of side effects, the treatment could be cheap and may provide an easy solution to prevent degenerative diseases.
The magic ingredient - caffeic-acid-based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs), which could be conveniently obtained from spent coffee beans can potentially protect brain cells from damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases triggered by obesity, age and exposure to pesticides and other toxic environmental chemicals, say the scientists, from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The pioneering work is led by Jyotish Kumar, a doctoral student in UTEP's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, under the guidance of Professor Mahesh Narayan, Ph.D.
"Caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots have the potential to be transformative in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders," explains Kumar, adding that this approach aims to address the root causes of these conditions, and not just symptoms. "Our goal is to find a cure by addressing the atomic and molecular underpinnings that drive these diseases."
What are neurodegenerative diseases?They are conditions that develop slowly, gradually damaging and destroying parts of nervous system, especially areas of your brain. The symptoms typically begin with signs of confusion, memory loss, trouble thinking or concentrating, and over time may affect day-to-day functioning and could be life-threatening.
The most common neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Huntington's disease, spinal muscular atrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia.
The research team suggests that the treatment can help address very early stages of a condition such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, and could be effective in preventing full-on disease.
Dr. Mahesh Narayan, a professor and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the same department as Kumar, feels these diseases must be tackled at their rudimentary stages.
He added that the abundance of coffee grounds can make the treatment both economical and sustainable.
“It is critical to address these disorders before they reach the clinical stage,” Dr. Narayan said.
Video
You may also like
Dad buys metal detector to start new hobby and makes 'once-in-a-lifetime' find
19 arrested as 'at least 50' people died or disappeared during 'horror' small boat trip
PM Modi Launches Swasth Nari Yojana: Free Testing and Medicines for Women
Man City transfer call backfires as £27m clause costs England star Newcastle chance
Donald Trump loves the King, William and Kate, and Keir Starmer should be grateful
