Smoking has long been linked to different health problems, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pulmonary disease. Now, a new study reveals that it can also affect a person's cognition.
Researchers from The Ohio State University examined the relationship between smoking and cognitive decline by asking people if they have experienced worsening or frequent memory loss and confusion. They found that smoking increases the risk for cognitive decline in middle age as more smokers in this age bracket were likely to report these experiences.
Smokers Have the Highest Prevalence of Subjective Cognitive Decline
The study, titled "Relation Between Smoking Status and Subjective Cognitive Decline in Middle Age and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data" published in the Journal Alzheimer's Disease, was built on previous studies about the relationships between smoking and Alzheimer's Disease as well as other forms of dementia to identify signs of trouble early in life.
Jenna I. Rajczyk, M.P.H., and colleagues examined the smoking status and SCD among middle-aged and older adults in a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, Health Day reported. They revealed that middle-aged and older adult smokers have a higher chance of subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
There were a total of 136,018 eligible respondents aged 45 years and older and about 10% of them had SCD. They observed that current smokers make up the greatest number of participants with SCD, followed by former smokers, and remote former smokers compared to nonsmokers. But there is no evidence found for the effect modification by sex.
The authors wrote in their study that their findings raise the question as to whether smoking cessation intervention efforts in middle age could indicate long-term cognitive benefits later in life. More so, the study showed the possible value of targeting middle-aged adult smokers, both current and former smokers, for SCD screening.
Quitting Smoking and Its Effect on Cognitive Health
SCD is a term used to describe cognitive decline that is linked to a self-reported rise in the frequency of confusion or memory loss. The study showed that this syndrome might be a precursor to moderate cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, or other dementias that are linked, MIMS Neurology reports.
Researchers think that using SCD as a midway indicator of cognitive decline makes it easier to think about the potential impacts of therapies on the risk of objective cognitive function in the future.
They pointed out in their study that the dose-response relation between levels of smoking status and SCD implies the link between cognitive outcomes since cessation. That is why the findings raise the question as to whether interventions in quitting smoking in middle adulthood could have significant effects on future cognition.
The team said that future longitudinal studies are needed to address this question as it cannot be temporarily assessed using cross-sectional analysis. Still, the findings of the study highlight the role of population-based measures, like SCD play in the early detection of cognitive decline to inform research and interventions that could hopefully mitigate the future burdens of cognitive decline.
Rajczyk noted that the study is another piece of evidence or reason to quit smoking as it does not only harm the respiratory system and cardiovascular health, but also neurological health.
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