Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s affect millions of people in the United States.
These conditions not only impact daily life but also result in very high healthcare costs.
But scientists from The University of Texas at El Paso may have found an unexpected way to help: using old coffee grounds.
After people brew their coffee, the leftover grounds are usually thrown away. However, researchers discovered that these used coffee grounds can be turned into something useful.
They created tiny particles called Carbon Quantum Dots (or CQDs) using caffeic acid, a natural substance found in coffee. These special particles are called CACQDs, and the scientists found that they might protect brain cells from damage.
Neurodegenerative diseases happen when brain cells, also known as neurons, die or stop working properly. This can make it hard for people to move, talk, think clearly, or even control their bladder and bowel.
One reason these diseases happen is due to harmful molecules in the brain called free radicals. Another reason is the buildup of sticky proteins called amyloids, which form harmful clumps.
In the lab, the researchers tested CACQDs in test tubes, in living cells, and in a model of Parkinson’s disease caused by a pesticide called paraquat. They found that CACQDs could remove or block the damage caused by free radicals. They also stopped the sticky proteins from clumping together. Even better, these particles didn’t cause harmful side effects.
The team believes that CACQDs could be used to stop brain diseases before they become serious, especially when they are caused by things like aging, poor diet, or toxic chemicals in the environment. Treating these diseases early is very important because once they get worse, they are much harder to manage.
Right now, most treatments only help with the symptoms and can be very expensive. The goal of this new research is to find a low-cost and simple way to prevent most of these brain diseases from starting in the first place.
One of the reasons CACQDs are so promising is because of caffeic acid. This is a natural antioxidant, which means it helps protect the brain from damage. What makes it special is that it can pass through the blood-brain barrier, a protective wall that keeps many things out of the brain. This means CACQDs can go straight to where they’re needed most.
Making these particles is also good for the environment. The process is simple and follows green chemistry principles. The used coffee grounds are heated to 200 degrees Celsius for four hours. This changes the carbon in the caffeic acid and forms CACQDs. Since coffee grounds are so common, this method is affordable and easy to continue using.
Although the scientists still need to do more testing, they are hopeful. One day, these tiny particles could be turned into a medicine—maybe a simple pill—that can stop many brain diseases caused by everyday factors.
This exciting study is supported by the National Institutes of Health and shows how everyday waste products could help solve some of the biggest health problems. It offers new hope for preventing difficult and life-changing brain diseases.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about Scientists find the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease and findings of Alzheimer’s might not be primarily a brain disease. A new theory suggests it’s an autoimmune condition.
For more about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about These places in U.S. have the most cases of Alzheimer’s disease and findings of Scientists confirm the link between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease.
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