Caffeine Enhances Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Gains in Walking Function for People with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) often leads to long-term walking difficulties, and there is a need for effective treatments. Breathing low oxygen (acute intermittent hypoxia or AIH) has shown potential for improving walking function in people with iSCI, but adenosine buildup can limit its effectiveness. This study examined whether caffeine, which blocks adenosine receptors, could enhance the effects of AIH in people with chronic iSCI. The results demonstrated that caffeine combined with AIH improved walking speed and endurance, suggesting that this treatment could be a promising way to boost walking ability in individuals with chronic iSCI.
J Neurotrauma. 2022 Dec;39(23-24):1756-1763. doi: 10.1089/neu.2022.0120. Epub 2022 Aug 30. PMID:35686460 | PMC:PMC9734018 | DOI:10.1089/neu.2022.0120
