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

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 dem

SUBMITTER: Peters R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2642819 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature