Another Reason To Quit: Smoking May Be Linked To A Higher Cognitive Decline

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 16 Oct 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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When compared to non-smokers, researchers found that smokers scored lower in global cognitive function, speed, and flexibility at middle age.

The sample consisted of 1,964 men and women in the Netherlands aged 43 to 70 years. Researchers examined them for cognitive function twice, at the baseline and five years later. Researchers found at the baseline smokers scored lower than never smokers in global cognitive function, speed, and flexibility; at the five-year follow-up, decline among smokers was 1.9 times greater for memory function, 2.4 times greater for cognitive flexibility, and 1.7 times greater for global cognitive function than among never smokers.

"Our results indicate that giving up smoking at any age may prevent further smoking-induced cognitive decline," the study's authors declared. "The results stress the need for stop-smoking interventions in order to postpone cognitive decline among middle-aged persons."

"Smoking and Cognitive Decline Among Middle-Aged Men and Women: The Doetinchem Cohort Study"
Astrid C.J. Nooyens, Boukje M. van Gelder, W.M. Monique Verschuren
American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2007.130294
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The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly Journal of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of books and periodicals promoting sound scientific standards, action programs and public policy to enhance health.

www.ajph.org