Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in the Central Fatigue of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Ana Cristina de Bem Alves Journal of Caffeine and Adenosine Research Vol. 9, No. 4Reviews 12 Dec 2019
Fatigue reflects a typical limitation of endurance to physical exertion, but it is also a symptom at rest in many neurodegenerative diseases, which impair common activities in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. In this case, the symptom is known as central fatigue. The pharmacological and environmental approach of central fatigue is not effective because the pathophysiology is unclear. Raised neuronal adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) density is associated with the pathology and clinical condition of these neurodegenerative diseases.
The nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine has been shown to be a good therapeutic option for these cases. Caffeine is also the main ergogenic resource used by athletes. In this mini-review, we propose that central fatigue can be mediated by A2AR in the central nervous system and that caffeine may be a good therapeutic option for central fatigue or neurodegenerative patients.