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. 2008 Dec 23:8:36.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-8-36.

Smoking, dementia and cognitive decline in the elderly, a systematic review

Ruth Peters  1 , Ruth Poulter, James Warner, Nigel Beckett, Lisa Burch, Chris Bulpitt
Affiliations

Smoking, dementia and cognitive decline in the elderly, a systematic review

Ruth Peters et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: Nicotine may aid reaction time, learning and memory, but smoking increases cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular risk factors have been linked to increased risk of dementia. A previous meta-analysis found that current smokers were at higher risk of subsequent dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and cognitive decline.

Methods: In order to update and examine this further a systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out using different search and inclusion criteria, database selection and more recent publications. Both reviews were restricted to those aged 65 and over.

Results: The review reported here found a significantly increased risk of Alzheimer's disease with current smoking and a likely but not significantly increased risk of vascular dementia, dementia unspecified and cognitive decline. Neither review found clear relationships with former smoking.

Conclusion: Current smoking increases risk of Alzheimer's disease and may increase risk of other dementias. This reinforces need for smoking cessation, particularly aged 65 and over. Nicotine alone needs further investigation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Current smoking and Alzheimer's disease.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Current smoking and vascular dementia.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Current smoking and dementia (unspecified).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Current smoking and cognitive decline.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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