Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of caffeine consumption on nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in healthy individuals.
Methodology: This randomized comparative study was conducted at the Physiology department of Federal Medical College, Islamabad, affiliated with Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), from June to December 2023. A total of 134 students (33 Males, 101 Females) selected using non-probability convenience sampling were divided into two group; Caffeine group (67 students) and placebo group (67 students). The inclusion criteria consisted of medical students aged between 15-25 years (mean age 20), without comorbidities, from the Federal Medical College. Nerve conduction parameter were recorded by using power lab Model ML4818 & serial T 15-2562 by AD Instruments USA. SPSS 26 was used for data analysis.
Results: In the caffeine group, the mean NCV significantly increased from 49.02±7.55 m/s to 67.38±15.26 m/s after caffeine intake (p<0.001). There was an increase in NCV across different age groups following caffeine intake, with the 18-20 age group exhibiting a median NCV of 62.00. No significant correlations were found between NCV and gender or BMI in either group.
Conclusion: Caffeine increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission, underscoring its potential to modulate neural function.

Key words: caffeine, nerve conduction velocity, medical students, BMI, power Lab.