Psychopharmacology (2010) 211:245–257DOI 10.1007/s00213-010-1900-1
Genetics of caffeine consumption and responses to caffeine
Amy Yang & Abraham A. Palmer & Harriet de Wit
Received: 25 March 2010 / Accepted: 25 May 2010 / Published online: 9 June 2010
associated with risk of myocardial infarction in caffeine
Rationale Caffeine is widely consumed in foods and bev-
erages and is also used for a variety of medical purposes.
Conclusion Modeling based on twin studies reveals that
Despite its widespread use, relatively little is understood
genetics plays a role in individual variability in caffeine
regarding how genetics affects consumption, acute re-
consumption and in the direct effects of caffeine. Both
sponse, or the long-term effects of caffeine.
pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic polymorphisms
Objective This paper reviews the literature on the genetics
have been linked to variation in response to caffeine. These
of caffeine from the following: (1) twin studies comparing
studies may help guide future research in the role of
heritability of consumption and of caffeine-related traits,
genetics in modulating the acute and chronic effects of
including withdrawal symptoms, caffeine-induced insom-
nia, and anxiety, (2) association studies linking geneticpolymorphisms of metabolic enzymes and target receptors
Keywords Caffeine . Adenosine . Dopamine .
to variations in caffeine response, and (3) case-control and
prospective studies examining relationship between poly-
morphisms associated with variations in caffeine responseto risks of Parkinson’s and cardiovascular diseases inhabitual caffeine consumers.
Results Twin studies find the heritability of caffeine-relatedtraits to range between 0.36 and 0.58. Analysis of poly-
Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive
substance use shows that predisposition to caffeine use is
substance in the world. Nearly 90% of US adults consume
highly specific to caffeine itself and shares little common
caffeine in forms of coffee, tea, or other caffeinated food
disposition to use of other substances. Genome association
products (Frary et al. Caffeine’s popularity world-
studies link variations in adenosine and dopamine receptors
wide can be attributed to its ability to promote wakefulness,
to caffeine-induced anxiety and sleep disturbances. Poly-
enhance mood and cognition, and produce stimulatory
morphism in the metabolic enzyme cytochrome P-450 is
effects (Haskell et al. ; Lieberman et al. ). It isused clinically to treat premature neonatal apnea and as ananalgesic adjuvant (Migliardi et al. Schmidt et al.
). Caffeine causes diuresis, bronchodilatation, and a
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience,
rise in systolic blood pressure in nonhabitualized subjects
(Benowitz Mosqueda-Garcia et al. ). At low
5841 S. Maryland Ave, MC 3077,Chicago, IL 60637, USA
doses, its psychological effects include mild euphoria,
alertness, and enhanced cognitive performance (Liebermanet al. but at higher doses, it produces nausea,
anxiety, trembling, and jitteriness (Daly and Fredholm
Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago,Chicago, IL, USA
). Tolerance to its acute effects develops rapidly
(Evans and Griffiths Robertson et al. such that
of genetics to consumption of caffeine and its effects.
the effects of caffeine in habitual consumers are quite
Second, we will review studies that have identified
different from caffeine-naïve individuals. Physical depen-
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variations that
dence can develop, and withdrawal symptoms occur upon
affect acute response. Third, we will discuss evidences that
discontinuation of regular caffeine use (Griffiths and
genetic factors influence long-term effects of caffeine.
Woodson The effects of chronic consumption are
Finally, we will discuss the clinical significance and
less clear. Long-term use of caffeine has been associated
possible future research directions.
with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (Hartley etal. ; Klatsky et al. but a decreased risk inneurodegenerative disorders (Ascherio et al. Maia
There are pronounced individual differences in response
to caffeine. For example, some individuals are susceptibleto its anxiogenic effects (Silverman and Griffiths ) and
Twin studies provide powerful evidence for the heritability
others to caffeine-induced sleep disturbances and insomnia
of traits including response to caffeine. Heritability refers to
(Bchir et al. ). Caffeine can aggravate anxiety and
degree of genetic influence and can vary from 0 (not
precipitate panic attacks in patients with anxiety and panic
heritable) to 1 (completely inherited). Twin studies estimate
disorder, which often results in decreased consumption in
heritability by comparing monozygotic twins, who share
these individuals (Bruce et al. ; Charney et al.
the common familial environment and the same genes, to
Lee et al. Nardi et al. Individual differences in
dizygotic twins, who also share common familial environ-
responses to caffeine may occur at the metabolic (pharma-
ment but only half of the genetic material. The contribution
cokinetic) or at the drug-receptor level (pharmacodynamic),
of different sources of variation to an observable trait can
and they can contribute to the quality and magnitude of
then be derived using biometric modeling, which attributes
direct drug effects as well as to consumption of the drug.
the observed variations to genetic, common environmental,
Likewise, certain individuals may be more vulnerable to the
and unique environmental sources (for detailed description
long-term negative health effects of caffeine. For example,
of modeling techniques used in twin studies, see Kendler
while the pressor effects of caffeine attenuate rapidly in
; Neale and Cardon In addition to calculating
most consumers upon repeated intake, tolerance remains
the heritability of traits related to caffeine sensitivity and
incomplete in certain subjects (Farag et al. ; Lovallo et
use, models can account for the influence of age,
al. Hypertensive subjects have been shown to be
environmental factors, and gender differences on response
more likely to experience rise in blood pressure after
and consumption patterns. Table summarizes twin studies
caffeine consumption even with repeated administration
investigating caffeine-related traits. Broadly, two types of
(Nurminen et al. It is likely that several factors
outcomes are assessed in these studies: consumption level
contribute to individual differences in responses to caffeine,
and direct effects such as toxicity, tolerance, withdrawal,
including demographic and environmental factors such as
and caffeine-induced sleep disorders. These studies find
age, other drug use, circadian factors, and sleep hygiene.
heritability of caffeine traits from tea or coffee consumption
One important source of variability that has received some
to vary from 0.30 to 0.60 in different populations. They
attention in recent years is genetic predisposition.
confirm the possibilities of caffeine consumption inheri-
There is growing evidence that individual differences in
tance in twins without identifying the individual genes
caffeine response or caffeine consumption are related to
responsible for such differential inheritance pattern. This
genetic factors. Genetic factors may influence responses
section will review studies that investigate the impact of
to caffeine directly, by altering acute or chronic reactions
genetics on consumption levels, direct effects, and the
to the drug, or indirectly, by affecting other psychological
specificity of these inherited traits to caffeine.
or physiological processes that are related to the drug effect,
Several twin studies have shown significant contribution
such as sensitivity to anxiety, rewarding, and reinforcing
from genetic sources in determining caffeine intake. One
effects of substances in general, or related personality traits.
such study assessed the level of caffeine consumption in
Finally, genes can also alter the body’s adaptive responses to
female twins using average daily consumption of coffee,
long-term caffeine use. The biological mechanisms of these
caffeinated tea, and caffeinated soda via individual inter-
possible sources of variation likely involve interactions at
views (Kendler and Prescott ). Using biometric model
fitting, overall caffeine consumption was found to have a
In the three sections of this paper, we will review genetic
heritability of 0.43. Heavy consumption, defined as
studies associated with variations in caffeine effects. First,
>625 mg of caffeine daily, had a heritability of 0.77. Two
we will consider twin studies that examine the contributions
twin studies of male veterans examined coffee consumption
Table 1 Twin studies on heritability of caffeine-related traits
(sum of symptoms of tolerance andwithdrawal during maximum)during period of maximumcaffeine intake
Heritability is calculated by partitioning sources of variation into genetic and common factors using twin modeling. Common factor refers toheritability that is shared across substances. Further details are provided in text and can be found in the individual papers
using cups of coffee per day as outcome measure and found
ated drinks over the years as recalled by the subjects. By
heritabilities of 0.36–0.38 (Carmelli et al. ; Swan et al.
decomposing the variation source into additive genetic,
). These values lay in range with the results from
familial environmental, and unique environmental factors
studies on other twin populations using similar modeling
and tracing the caffeine intake between the ages of 9 and 41,
techniques, with results ranging from 0.38 to 0.58 (Hettema
the best-fit model showed that family environment accounts
et al. Laitala et al. Luciano et al. ; Vink et
for most of the variance in caffeine use from 9 to 14 years of
age, but declined afterward and from late adolescence until
Genetic contribution to caffeine consumption changes
middle adulthood genetic contribution accounted for 0.30–
through different stages in life. A retrospective study eval-
0.45 of the variance (Kendler et al. ).
uating the use of caffeine in males from early adolescence
It appeared, therefore, that genetic contribution became
through middle adulthood examined the number of caffein-
more pronounced throughout adolescence and then stabi-
lized during adulthood. Similarly, a study of coffee
joint use factor and a substance-specific factor (Kendler et
consumption in Finnish twins found that coffee consump-
al. ). Using this technique, Kendler and Prescott
tion was affected by a set of genetic factors that was stable
found that heritability for caffeine use was not
over time in adults (Laitala et al. ). Self-reported
correlated to heritability for alcohol, nicotine, and illicit
questionnaire was used to ascertain subjects’ coffee
drug use. However, other studies found that the heritability
consumption in 1975 and again in 1981. There was a
for coffee use overlapped with that of nicotine and alcohol,
moderate correlation for consumption between the two time
though 0.72 of the total heritability was specific to caffeine,
points (0.58 in men and 0.55 in women), while the genetic
which was considerably higher than that for nicotine and
factors affecting coffee consumption remained stable at
alcohol (Hettema et al. Swan et al. ). Another
study assessed inherited specificity for dependence and
Another process by which genetics can influence
abuse liability to cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, and
caffeine response is by predisposing individuals to certain
caffeine lifetime in twin pairs (Kendler et al. Scores
positive or negative effects, such as susceptibility to its
were calculated by summing total symptoms for abuse and
withdrawal symptoms or its effects on sleep. Kendler and
dependence using the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol, cocaine,
Prescott (examined the extent to which genetics
and cannabis; the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence
influence individual sensitivity to caffeine toxicity, toler-
for nicotine; and the sum of symptoms of tolerance and
ance, and withdrawal in female twins. Outcome measures
withdrawal as the measure for caffeine dependence.
were assessed via individual interviews asking for history
Tolerance for caffeine was defined as the need to use more
of jitteriness, need for increased dosage, and withdrawal
to obtain the same effect or diminished effect with the same
symptoms per DSM-IV criteria. Using the same modeling
amount. Multivariate modeling was employed to determine
method as described above, the heritability for toxicity,
the degree which environmental and genetic influence was
tolerance, and withdrawal was estimated to be 0.45, 0.40,
shared across substances. Analyzing patterns of caffeine
and 0.35, respectively. A study in Australian twins
tolerance and withdrawal in conjunction with that for other
investigated the inheritance of caffeine-attributed sleep
substances showed that genetic heritability toward caffeine
disturbances and its relation to other types of sleep
dependence did not correlate with heritability for depen-
disturbances (Luciano et al. To test the degree of
dence or abuse of illicit substances such as heroin and
overlap between coffee-attributed insomnia and other types
cocaine (Kendler et al. ). Instead, the best-fit model
of insomnia, the study applied multivariate analysis with
composed of the genetic heritability from two attributes,
Cholesky decomposition to account for environmental and
one for licit and one for illicit substances. Genetic liability
genetic variances. On average, women reported slightly
toward caffeine tolerance and withdrawal came mainly
higher level of caffeine-induced insomnia and greater sleep
from the licit factor, receiving little contribution from the
disturbances in general than men. The overall heritability of
illicit substance factor, and was highly specific to caffeine.
coffee-attributed insomnia was found to be 0.40, with three
The symptoms of caffeine tolerance and withdrawal were
quarters of the genetic variance unrelated to the general
similar for males and females, both a heritability of 0.34.
sleep factor. Furthermore, the likelihood polychoric pheno-
While these studies reached slightly different conclusions
typic correlations between coffee-attributed insomnia to
about the joint heritability for coffee, smoking, and alcohol
other types of insomnia ranged only from 0.23 to 0.39.
use, all of them found the genetic contribution to caffeine
These values were lower than the intercorrelation values
and coffee consumption to be highly substance specific,
among noncoffee sleep disturbances, which ranged from
indicating that the mechanisms predisposed individuals in a
0.40 to 0.79. Together, these results suggested that genetic
mechanisms for caffeine-attributed sleep disturbance differ
Among studies of dietary sources of caffeine, the
from those for other types of sleep disturbances.
measure used for assessing daily caffeine intake is
One fundamental question arising from genetic studies is
important. Preference for certain sources can have social
whether the inherited factor predisposes an individual
or cultural bases, which can confound the genetic effects.
specifically to caffeine, or if it underlies a broader
Most of the studies used coffee alone or a combination of
disposition to substance use in general. Epidemiological
tea or coffee as dietary intake measure of caffeine, though
studies indicate that smokers drink more coffee than
some studies have attempted to distinguish coffee and tea
nonsmokers (Swanson et al. but it is not clear
drinking. In one study, daily coffee and tea drinking was
whether these associations are related to genetic factors or
compared in Australian twins, and a preference score for tea
to drug interactions, social conditioning, or other variables.
or coffee was calculated. Heritability was estimated to be
One approach to solving this question is to correlate the use
0.51 for coffee consumption and 0.26 for tea consumption
of caffeine to other drugs and using the common pathway
(Luciano et al. ). The analyses revealed several
model and mapping the genetic contribution to a common
underlying differences in patterns of coffee and tea
consumption. Unlike models for coffee and caffeine
be drawn. First, heavy consumers seem to differ from
consumption, whose best-fit models consist of genetic and
moderate and light-caffeine users on several accounts.
unique environmental factors with no contribution from
Heavier caffeine users appear to be more influenced by
common environment, tea consumption had a modest
genetics than lighter caffeine users. This is supported by the
common environment contribution. The lower heritability
study by Kendler and Prescott (and by the two
for tea drinking could be due to the lower caffeine content
studies by Swan et al. , who reported that
of tea or could signify different populations of tea versus
genetic variance accounted for 0.36 in overall coffee
coffee drinkers. However, there was no correlation between
consumption but 0.51 for heavy consumption. Second,
coffee preferences and the number of caffeinated drinks
heavy use of caffeine appears to correlate more closely to
consumed per day, even though tea averages lower caffeine
use of other substances. Multivariate modeling to estimate
content per cup than coffee. The data suggested therefore
covariance between tobacco, alcohol, and coffee use
that environment plays a larger role in tea than coffee
calculated the common factor heritability to be 0.41 for
consumption and that social environment affects tea and
heavy users versus 0.28 in all users (Swan et al.
coffee drinking patterns differently.
). Third, although patterns of coffee and tea consump-
Certain food preferences are heritable, and this appears
tion differ in ways beyond the differences in caffeine
to be especially true of foods such as coffee that have
content, some studies have equated caffeine intake to coffee
strong tastes. A food preference study in UK twins used
intake. This may introduce confounds because tea drinking
principle component analysis to show that preference for
is more common in certain populations.
coffee had a heritability of 0.41 while preference for tea had
Taken together, the twin studies show that genetics plays
a heritability of 0.36 (Teucher et al. ). A Dutch twin
a significant role in individual level of caffeine consump-
study of coffee preference over tea was shown to have a
tion. Twin studies, while providing valuable insight on the
heritability of 0.62 (Vink et al. ). One reason for
interplay between environment and genetic influence on
preference for coffee in an individual may be due to taste
consumption, do not provide information on the molecular
preference. Caffeine itself can taste bitter to certain
or physiological mechanisms at work. Genetic association
individuals. Taste preference testing in Australian adoles-
studies have been used to identify specific genes that are
cent and young adult twins showed that perceived bitterness
responsible for the heritable components of these caffeine-
of caffeine had a broad range heritability of 0.30 after
related traits. We will briefly review the metabolism and
adjusting for age, gender, and other covariates (Hansen et
clinical pharmacology of caffeine as a means of introducing
al. ). However, this bitterness can be masked by
the genes that have been examined in association studies.
preparation methods, such as adding sugar.
These studies highlight one of the limitations in using
dietary intake to estimate individual preference for caffeinein a population study, which is that factors such as
Caffeine and its metabolites belong to the methylxanthine
individual taste preference and social settings can influence
class, which are structurally similar to cyclic nucleotides,
intake, and there may be a need to account for coffee and
and interact with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases
tea separately when studying caffeine intake. Other limi-
(Arnaud Daly and Fredholm ; Fredholm et al.
tations include reliance on participant returns of surveys,
). Caffeine is absorbed rapidly and completely from
using self-report of caffeine use and caffeine-related
the gastrointestinal tract (Arnaud ). It is metabolized
symptoms, imprecise methods of estimating dietary caf-
by cytochrome P-450 enzymes, which represent the rate-
feine intake, and cooperation bias from subjects. In
limiting step for plasma clearance, and its elimination
addition, results from these studies depend on subject
follows first-order kinetics. P-450 1A2, which is coded for
population selected. Whereas most of the studies used
by the gene CYP1A2, is the primary isoenzyme responsible
general community for sample population, the two studies
for the demethylation of caffeine into dimethylxanthine
by Swan et al. used male World War II veterans, which may
metabolites paraxanthine, theobromine, and theophylline
have certain characteristics different from the general
(Lelo et al. ; Miners and Birkett ). Each of these
population. Many of these studies are also restricted to
metabolites is subjected to further demethylation into
Caucasian subjects or conducted in Caucasian-predominant
monomethylxanthines (Miners and Birkett Variation
populations, making the result difficult to generalize to
in the CYP1A2 activity, both within and between individ-
uals, represents a major source of variability in pharmaco-
In summary, the above studies estimate heritability for
kinetics of caffeine. The clearance of caffeine can vary to
caffeine-related effects and consumption to range from 0.34
up to 40-fold within and between individuals (Kalow and
to 0.58, with the heritability for heavy caffeine consump-
Tang ; Kashuba et al. . Notable exogenous
tion conspicuously higher at 0.77. A few conclusions can
factors that affect clearance include numerous drugs,
medications, and smoking status (Grosso and Bracken
mediated responses. The psychomotor stimulant effects of
), as well as caffeine itself (Berthou et al. ).
caffeine are due to antagonism of adenosine’s inhibitory
Endogenous factors include pregnancy, ethnicity, and
actions on the striatal D2 transmission (Ferre
genetics. Asian and African populations, for instance,
Recent research suggests adenosine acts mainly to fine-
appear to metabolize caffeine at slower rate than Cauca-
tune other synaptic transmission in the CNS. For instance,
1 A2A heteromers modulate glutamergic neurotransmis-
Under physiological conditions, the main effects of
sion (Ciruela et al. whereas A2A receptors have been
caffeine are due to competitive inhibition of adenosine
shown to affect GABAnergic and cholinergic transmission
receptors, mainly A1 and A2A receptors (Daly et al. ).
(Kirk and Richardson Thus, in addition to variations
Adenosine receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors locat-
in the A1 and A2A receptor genes and genes involved in the
ed ubiquitously throughout the body. Of the four receptors
P450 enzymes, genetic variations in a number of other
that have been identified (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3), the A1
neurotransmitter functions could influence responses to
and A2A receptors are especially prominent in the central
nervous system and are the primary targets of caffeine. Activation of the Gi- or Go-coupled A1 causes inhibition of
Genetic variations in caffeine metabolism
adenyl cyclase and Ca2+ channels, whereas activation ofGs-coupled A2A causes activation of adenyl cyclase and
voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (Fredholm et al. ). Thus, A1 and A2A receptors possess partially opposing
Since caffeine metabolism is mainly determined by the
cytochrome enzyme P-450 1A2, genetic variations in this
A1 receptors are widely distributed throughout the
enzyme represent a major endogenous determinant of
central nervous system. They are located on presynaptic
enzyme activity. Early evidence for genetic variability on
terminals and mediate inhibitory effects of adenosine on the
CYP1A2 was first noted when a familial defect in O-
release of other neurotransmitters, including glutamate
deethylation, a marker reaction for CYP1A2, was reported
(Marchi et al. acetylcholine (Kurokawa et al.
more than four decades ago (Devonshire et al. ;
), and dopamine (Yabuuchi et al. ). Caffeine
Shahidi More recently, it has been shown that
administration enhances acetylcholine release through its
monozygotic twins share closer kinetic profile than dizy-
effects on A1 receptors (Carter et al. ). A1 receptor
gotic twins for caffeine metabolism, with an estimated
blockade enhances the motor effects of D1 agonists (Fisone
heritability of 0.725 (Rasmussen et al. More than
et al. Fredholm et al. Accordingly, caffeine is
150 SNPs have been identified for CYP1A2 (dbSNP
thought to produce its stimulatory and arousal effects by
releasing this tonic inhibition of dopamine (Dunwiddie and
conducted in different ethnic populations have shown large
Masino Chronic treatment with caffeine results in
variations in minor allele distributions and common
upregulation of adenosine A1 receptors in the CNS, which
haplotypes frequencies across different groups (Gunes and
persists for 15–30 days after termination of caffeine
administration (Boulenger et al. Marangos et al.
A single nucleotide C➔A polymorphism at position 734
). Animal studies show that chronic administration of
within intron 1 (rs762551) is correlated with high induc-
caffeine produces multiple biochemical changes, including
ibility of the P-450 1A2 enzyme in Caucasian subjects
increased densities of A1 receptors, muscarinic and nico-
(Sachse et al. Smoking subjects with A/A genotype
tinic receptors, and increased benzodiazepine receptors
metabolize caffeine at 1.6 times the rate of the other
associated with GABAA in the brain (Shi et al. ). This
genotypes, while no significant differences are found for
upregulation is thought to be responsible for the tolerance
nonsmoking subjects. The genetic polymorphism therefore
modifies environmental impact on enzyme activity.
The A2A receptors, on the other hand, are located
How does this allele influence caffeine response or
primarily in regions rich in dopaminergic neurons, such as
consumption? One study in Costa Rican subjects examined
the striatum (Martinez-Mir et al. ). The receptors are
whether the rs762551 single nucleotide polymorphism
located postsynaptically on medium-sized spiny neurons in
(SNP) was associated with coffee consumption but failed
the striatum, which serves as the receiving unit of the basal
to detect significant differences between the AA, AC, and
ganglia (Fink et al. The basal ganglia controls
CC genotypes (Cornelis et al. The study finding
voluntary movement and motor behavior by relaying input
suggested that rs762551 does not appear to be a major factor
between the cortex and the thalamus. A2A receptors coloc-
in determining individuals’ level of caffeine consumption.
alize postsynaptically with D2 receptors in the medium
However, variations in CYP1A2 activity affect caffeine
spiny neurons, and A2A blockade potentiates D2 receptor-
response in other ways. As discussed below, there is
evidence that CYP1A2 genotype modifies risk of certain
caffeine administration than other groups (Alsene et al.
diseases associated with caffeine consumption (discussed
A subsequent study using light-caffeine users
confirmed this earlier positive association, though thisassociation was no longer significant when analysis was
restricted to Caucasian subjects (Childs et al. ). Thestudy also found two other SNPs in ADORA2A (rs2298383
and rs4822492) to be associated with caffeine-inducedanxiety. Interestingly, therefore, two different alleles on
Recent genetic studies in animals and humans have
the same site, rs5751876, have been associated with two
implicated polymorphisms in adenosine A1 and A2A
different effects of caffeine—the C allele to caffeine-
receptors in caffeine response. Animal studies show that
induced sleep disturbance (Retey et al. and the T
A2A receptors are involved in reinforcing behavioral effects
allele to anxiety in Caucasian subjects (Alsene et al.
of caffeine and are also involved in mediating caffeine’s
effect on the sleep cycle. More recently, human studies
The associations between caffeine-induced anxiety and
have shown that different A2A receptor polymorphisms are
ADORA2A polymorphisms are especially intriguing when
associated with caffeine-induced anxiety and sleep changes
viewed in context of other studies linking ADORA2A to
drug-induced anxiety and anxiety disorders. Both
The adenosine A2A receptor plays a role in the effects of
rs5751876 C/T and rs35320474 T/− polymorphisms have
caffeine on arousal. Mice lacking functional A2A receptors
been associated with increased anxiety after acute admin-
do not show increased wakefulness in response to caffeine
istration of amphetamine in healthy subjects (Hohoff et al.
administration, indicating that the A2A receptor mediates
). The rs5751876 T/T allele has been associated with
the arousal response (Huang et al. In human
panic disorder in Caucasian populations (Deckert et al.
subjects, the rs5751876 polymorphism in the A2A receptor
; Hamilton et al. although this association was
is associated with sleep impairment and increased electro-
not replicated in studies in Japanese (Yamada et al.
encephalogram (EEG) beta band activity after caffeine
and Chinese subjects (Lam et al. It is possible, then,
administration (Retey et al. ). The ADORA2A
that these genotypes play a role not just in caffeine-induced
rs5751876 C/C (1976 C➔T, previously known as 1083
anxiety but also in anxiety and anxiety disorders overall in
C➔T) genotype was found at greater prevalence in subjects
certain populations. The finding that the same SNP is
who rated themselves as caffeine sensitive, whereas a
associated with both caffeine-induced anxiety and panic
higher proportion of T/T genotype was found in self-
disorder supports the observation that panic disorder
reported insensitive subjects. Moreover, subjects who self-
patients are particularly susceptible to caffeine-induced
reported as caffeine sensitive also reported a greater rate of
anxiety (Nardi et al. ) and suggests that polymor-
caffeine-induced sleep impairment. Relationship between
phisms in the A2A receptor may influence both.
caffeine sensitivity and sleep disturbance was collaborated
A2A receptors are also involved in the rewarding
by EEG finding of increased beta activity during non-REM
properties of caffeine. A2A knockout mice self-administer
sleep in C/C subjects, a pattern typically seen in insomnia
less caffeine than wild-type animals (El Yacoubi et al.
patients (Merica Perlis et al. In contrast,
), suggesting a role for A2A receptors in the reinforcing
subjects with C/T genotype showed half the increase in beta
properties of caffeine. A cross-sectional study examining
activity as compared to C/C genotype, and no change was
the relationship between ADORA2A polymorphism and
detected in T/T genotype. Therefore, genotype at
caffeine consumption supports the idea that A2A receptors
rs5751876 influenced risk of caffeine-induced insomnia.
may also be important for the negative reinforcement
This correlation was independent of anxiety, although
properties of caffeine in humans. A study in Costa Rican
anxiety was reported with greater prevalence by caffeine-
subjects without history of hypertension found that subjects
sensitive individuals. While anxiety can itself be a factor in
with rs5751876 T/T were likely to consume less caffeine
insomnia, it was not correlated with ADORA2A genotype in
than C/C subjects (Cornelis et al. However, the
study did not screen the subjects for anxiety, which can
Studies in human subjects suggest that polymorphisms
itself affect consumption level and has also been linked to
in the A2A receptor may be responsible for the negative
rs5751876 T/T as described above. That anxiety can be a
response to caffeine in certain individuals. The ADORA2A
factor in caffeine consumption is supported by epidemio-
SNPs rs5751876 and rs35320474 (2592 T/−) have been
logical studies, which have shown panic disorder patients
associated with anxiety in subjects who are light-caffeine
consuming less caffeine than subjects without a history of
users. Individuals with rs5751876 T/T and those with
panic disorder (Arias Horcajadas et al. Lee et al.
rs35320474 T/T allele reported greater anxiety after acute
protection, likely result from adaptive changes due to long-term use rather than from acute exposure. In this section,
Caffeine administration in animal and human subjects
we will examine the effects of chronic caffeine consump-
produces effects, such as increased motor activity and
tion on Parkinson’s and coronary heart diseases, two areas
self-administration, similar to those of dopaminergically
that have received significant attention and in which genetic
mediated stimulants (Cauli and Morelli ; Garrett and
studies in humans have been conducted.
Griffiths Interactions between adenosine and dopa-
Case-control studies have noted an inverse correlation
mine receptors play a key role in dopamine-potentiating
between coffee drinking and Parkinson’s disease (Ascherio
effects of caffeine. Dopamine D2 and adenosine A2A recep-
et al. ; Ross et al. though this result has not
tors colocalize in the dorsal and ventral striatal neurons and
always been replicated (Checkoway et al. ). The
form a heteromeric complex and exert antagonist effects on
relationship appears to be dose dependent, with the
each other via G-proteins (Fuxe et al. Dopamine is
correlation strongest in heavy consumers. Studies in mice
an important mediator of the locomotor stimulant effects of
showed that physiological doses of caffeine were able to
caffeine (Zahniser et al. ), and when given acutely,
attenuate MPTP-induced dopaminergic toxicity (Chen et al.
caffeine can potentiate locomotor effects of dopamine-
). These properties were mimicked by A2A antagonists
releasing agents (Kuribara ). The dopamine system is
but not A1 antagonists, suggesting that neuroprotection
implicated in the rewarding effects of cocaine and opioids,
occurs via action at A2A receptor site. Similarly, A2A
as well as natural rewards such as food and sex (Noble
receptor knockout mice showed reduced MPTP-induced
). In animals, chronic caffeine administration enhances
injury as compared to wild-type mice. The exact mecha-
amphetamine and cocaine motor stimulant effects, as well
nism of how A2A receptor antagonism can provide
as discriminative effects of nicotine, suggesting long-term
dopamine neuron protection remains unclear, but animal
modification of dopamine receptors (Cauli and Morelli
studies have shown that A2A receptor blockade protects
Long-term administration of caffeine induces changes
against ischemia neuronal injuries (Monopoli et al. ).
in tolerance or sensitization of dopamine-mediated responses
Two studies have examined the association between A2A
in rats (Fenu et al. ). Therefore, while caffeine does not
polymorphisms and incidence of Parkinson’s. One study in
bind directly to dopamine receptors, it is able to modulate
Singaporean subjects found lower tea and coffee con-
dopaminergic transmission indirectly via its action on the
sumption in patients with Parkinson’s but did not detect
differences in frequency of A2A rs35320474 (2592 T/−)
Few studies have directly examined the effect of dopa-
polymorphism between subjects with Parkinson’s and con-
mine polymorphisms on caffeine response in human sub-
trols (Tan et al. ). Another case-control study exam-
jects. Childs et al. ) found that a polymorphism in
ined rs5751876 and rs3032740 in ADORA2A and
DRD2 (rs1110976) was associated with caffeine-induced
rs35694136 and rs762551 in CYP1A2 and did not find
anxiety in the Caucasian subjects. An interaction was re-
any association between coffee drinking and risk of
ported between ADORA2A rs5751876 and DRD2 rs1079597
Parkinson’s altogether, with or without accounting for
that was associated with higher anxiety than either polymor-
genotype (Facheris et al. While caffeine may offer
phism alone. The gene–gene interaction is consistent with
protection against Parkinson’s via A2A receptor, the lack of
the animal models showing caffeine interacting with
association between Parkinson’s and variants identified
dopamine signaling via adenosine receptor.
with differential caffeine response suggests that neuro-
The full extent of interaction between adenosine and
protection may occur via a different mechanism from those
dopamine receptors in caffeine response has not been fully
elucidated. Caffeine has neuroprotective effects on dopami-
The role of caffeine in cardiovascular disease has also
nergic neurons via its interaction with A2A receptor, which
been extensively studied. Acute ingestion of caffeine or
may underlie the epidemiological finding that caffeine
coffee, but not decaffeinated coffee, invokes a rise in
consumption is inversely correlated with Parkinson’s disease,
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increases in catechol-
amine release, and vasodilatation (Papamichael et al. ;Smits et al. ). However, effects of chronic caffeine
Genetics and long-term effects of caffeine
consumption in habitualized drinkers are quite different. Some epidemiological studies find that regular coffee
Polymorphisms that alter acute response to caffeine may
intake slightly increases blood pressure (Jee et al. ;
also affect long-term adaptations to caffeine use. While the
Noordzij et al. while others find no difference.
role of acute caffeine response has been extensively
Whether caffeine is implicated in cardiovascular diseases is
studied, the effects of chronic consumption are less clear.
still being debated (Kawachi et al. ; Riksen et al. ;
Several properties of caffeine, such as its role in neuro-
Sofi et al. Despite its deleterious effects in acute
settings, several large-scale studies have found that habitual
metabolizing individuals could be at increased risk due to
heavy use is protective against cardiovascular disease
decreased ability to handle the stress associated with
caffeine-induced catecholamine response. A summary of
One possible factor for the contradictory findings was
the results of polymorphisms associated with caffeine
that different individuals have different risks, and genetics
can modulate the risk of developing cardiovascular diseasefrom caffeine consumption. One study found that intake ofcaffeinated coffee was associated with increased risk of
nonfatal myocardial infarction in individuals homozygousfor the slow allele CYP1A2*1F, marked by A➔C substitu-
Genetic diversity can influence a response to caffeine and
tion at position 734 (Cornelis et al. ). In another
consumption pattern in many ways. It can confer vulnera-
prospective study, the risk of acute myocardial infarction in
bility to drug use, such as by modulating vulnerability to
heavy coffee drinkers was found to be higher in subjects
rewarding effects via the dopaminergic system. Diversity
possessing allele for lower catechol-O-methyl transferase
can also directly alter response such that the individual
(COMT) activity (Happonen et al. ). COMT is the
experiences caffeine more positively or negatively. Data
main enzyme responsible for metabolism of catechol-
from twin studies show that genetic predisposition toward
amines, which characterize body’s response to physiolog-
caffeine use acts mostly via a caffeine-specific mechanism.
ical and psychological stress and have been shown to
Current research has implicated the primary enzyme in
damage myocardial cells at high concentrations (Abraham
caffeine metabolism, cytochrome P-450, and caffeine’s
et al. Caffeine may represent a chemical stress to the
main target receptors A1R and A2AR in variability in
body due to its ability to potentiate catecholamine release
caffeine response. Laboratory studies in human subjects
(Lane et al. ). The finding of lower COMT activity
show that susceptibility of some individuals to certain
with higher risk of myocardial infarction points to involve-
effects such as anxiety and insomnia can be accounted for
ment of circulating catecholamines in caffeine’s effect on
by specific alleles of the receptors. Case-control studies in
cardiovascular system, with the implication that slow-
habitual caffeine consumers show that genetics can modify
Table 2 Polymorphisms linked to acute and chronic response to caffeine
Intron I pos. 734: Increased activity in smokers with A/A genotype
differ between the genotypes (Cornelis et al. )
Risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction higher for
subjects with C/C genotype (Cornelis et al.
No association found for risk of Parkinson’s
No association found for risk of Parkinson’s
C/C genotype associated with greater caffeine
sensitivity, sleep impairment, and increased betaactivity during non-REM sleep (Retey et al.
T/T genotype associated with greater anxiety
after caffeine (Alsene et al. Childs et al.
T/T genotype associated with greater anxiety
No association found for Parkinson’s disease
No association found for risk of Parkinson’s
Associated with greater levels of caffeine-induced
Nucleotide codon Higher risk of acute myocardial infarction
in alleles coding for low activity (Met/Met)(Happonen et al. )
risks to certain health outcomes associated with chronic
From these studies, it is clear that studying the genetic
basis for caffeine response not only enhances our under-standing of the mechanism of action for caffeine itself butalso to the biochemical function of the receptors and their
associated neurotransmitters. In addition, these studies havealso led to new fields in biomedical research: how genetics
The widespread use of caffeine makes it an important target
influences response to drugs and sheds new light on
in understanding human health and disease. Progress has
pathophysiology of commonly studied diseases. Further
been made in understanding variability in caffeine
research is needed to understand the functional significance
responses related to the metabolic enzyme P-450, adenosine
of these genotypes and the interaction between the drug,
receptors A1 and A2A, and to a more limited extent,
dopamine. Further research is likely to identify othersources of variation related to the metabolic enzymes,adenosine receptors, and interactions with dopamine,
This research was supported by NIDA (DA021336
and DA02812). All authors reported no biomedical interests or potential
GABAA, and muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.
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effects in different populations. Due to concerns aboutsubject population and/or population stratification, most of
the research has been limited to single ethnicities. However,wide ethnic variations are found for CYP1A2 polymor-
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GroupNews ECKLER GROUPNEWS > JUNE 2013 > PAGE 1 Legal & Legislative Update Federal: Portions of the Helping Families in Need Act (Bill C-44) Effective June 9, 2013 The federal government has announced that certain sections of ook effect on June 9, 2013. These sections amend the Canada Labour Code to provide unpaid leave to an eligible federally regulated employee whose c
FACT SHEET No. 12 - 2005 Maternal and Infant Nutrition Proper nutrition during pregnancy. However, initiating good nutritional habits three months to a year chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Before, during and after pregnancy, the • Do I suffer from heavy periods and is Food Guide Pyramid can help you choose, on a daily basis, what and how much you need