Mocha coffee consumption correlates with cognitive function in a population with subcortical ischemic vascular disease

Background and aims: To date, there are inconclusive evidences for a protective effect of coffee consumption on the occurrence and course of age-related neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, no study has been carried out in mild vascular cognitive impairment and latelife depression. Methods: We assessed the association between different quantities of mocha coffee consumption over the last year on both cognitive and mood performance in a non-demented elderly Italian population with subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD). The outcome measures were Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Stroop Color-Word Interference test (Stroop T), 17-items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Instrumental ADL scores. Results: MMSE, HDRS, and Stroop T independently and significantly correlated with coffee consumption, i.e., better scores with increasing intake. Post-hoc analyses showed that the group with a moderate coffee intake (2 cups/day) had similar values compared to the heavily drinkers (3 cups/ day), with the exception of MMSE score. Conclusion: Daily coffee consumption was associated with better cognitive performance and mood status, with a significant dose-response effect even with a moderate intake. These findings might have translational implications for the identification of modifiable factors for the occurrence and severity of vascular dementia and geriatric depression.