Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 From: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_096.html Still, facts are facts. I quote: " A statistically significant inverse association between smoking and Alzheimer's disease was observed at all levels of analysis, with a trend towards decreasing risk with increasing consumption " (International Journal of Epidemiology, 1991). " The risk of Alzheimer's disease decreased with increasing daily number of cigarettes smoked before onset of disease. . . . In six families in which the disease was apparently inherited . . .. the mean age of onset was 4.17 years later in smoking patients than in non-smoking patients from the same family " (British Medical Journal, June 22, 1991). " Although more data are needed . . . [an analysis of 19 studies suggests] nicotine protects against AD " (Neuroepidemiology, 1994). Nicotine injections significantly improved certain types of mental functioning in Alzheimer's patients (Psychopharmacology, 1992). One theory: nicotine improves the responsiveness of Alzheimer's patients to acetylcholine, an important brain chemical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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