Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects

A Nehlig, JL Daval, G Debry - Brain research reviews, 1992 - Elsevier
Caffeine is the most widely consumed centralnervous-system stimulant. Three main
mechanisms of action of caffeine on the central nervous system have been described.
Mobilization of intracellular calcium and inhibition of specific phosphodiesterases only occur
at high non-physiological concentrations of caffeine. The only likely mechanism of action of
the methylxanthine is the antagonism at the level of adenosine receptors. Caffeine increases
energy metabolism throughout the brain but decreases at the same time cerebral blood flow …