Moderate Caffeine Intake and Verbal Memory in Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Research has shown that caffeine enhances vigilance, attention, and mood. This study assessed whether caffeine intake has a positive effect on memory, processing speed, and emotional well-being in multiple sclerosis (MS). Sixty-three patients with confirmed MS were placed in two groups based on daily caffeine intake. Participants were administered cognitive and emotional measures, including measures of verbal memory, processing speed, and a self-report inventory of depression, as part of a screening battery for a larger clinical trial. On a measure of verbal memory, participants with MS who consumed two or more cups of daily caffeine outperformed those consuming less caffeine. No differences were found on processing speed or self-report of depressive symptoms. Our results suggest that moderate caffeine intake may enhance verbal memory in MS.