Smokers and Alzheimer’s Disease.

A new study published in the September 4, 2007 issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, indicates that people who currently smoke are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or dementia than those who smoked in the past or are non smokers.

Study author Monique Breteler, MD, PhD (Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands) states that “Smoking increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease, which is also tied to dementia…Another mechanism could be through oxidative stress, which can damage cells in the blood vessels and lead to hardening of the arteries. Smokers experience greater oxidative stress than nonsmokers, and increased oxidative stress is also seen in Alzheimer’s disease.” (Reference - Newwise)

Further Reading:

Smoking may double the risk of Alzheimer’s (1998)

Smokers Are More Likely to Develop Dementia (2007)

Smokers More Likely To Get Dementia, Alzheimer’s (2007)