The Effects of Caffeine on Response Time in Young Adults as Related to Decision-Making

Abstract

Caffeine is part of day-to-day life for 92% of college students in the United States. While the reasons for choosing to drink caffeinated beverages span from wanting to be more alert to enjoying the taste, the reality is that most young adults do not consider the possibility that caffeine can impact decision-making. Decision-making for young adults is critical as individuals between the ages of 18 and 26 are making more independent decisions. Current research addresses general caffeine consumption as related to decision-making across a broad spectrum of ages and within specific arenas, such as sports; however, there is a gap in literature targeting the impressionable college age population. There is also a need for research that addresses whether the amount of caffeine changes response time in decision-making. This study examined the impact that caffeine had on response time and functional connectivity of 20 young adults. Participants engaged in a two series sequence of tests that included a Go/No-Go Visual Reaction Time Test (GNGT) and an electroencephalogram (EEG). Participants completed a pre- and post- task before and after caffeine consumption. Graph theory analysis was applied to the data, followed by a paired t-test to compare the findings. Results showed a statistically significant change (p-value < 0.05) in functional connectivity for density and the number of connections in the alpha, beta, and mu bands with 135 mg of caffeine, indicating a more efficient brain network after caffeine intake. There was a statistically significant quicker response time after caffeine consumption of 135 mg.