Passive Smoking Can Lead To Dementia

Earlier researches have already proved that there lies a strong connection between smoking and dementia or Alzheimer’s disease now to add on to that a new research has suggested that it may actually increase the risk of dementia to 44%.The more the amount of exposure more is the risk of the disease.

The study has published its findings online in 13th February, 2009. The study has been carried out at Peninsula Medical School of Exeter, England, in the Public Health Department.

What Does The Study Say?
Saliva samples of four thousand and eight hundred smokers (who were above 50 years of age) were taken. The saliva samples were tested for levels of cotinine, a by-product of nicotine that is found in saliva for almost twenty five hours after contact with smoke.

The volunteers had to take neuropsychological tests in order to assess cognitive impairment and brain function. All the tests evaluated the memory of the volunteers and also their logical reasoning power along with verbal skills. Participants who scored less than 10 % were branded as having at least some level of cognitive impairment.

The study showed that participants with higher cotinine levels had a 44 % increased risk of cognitive impairment in comparison with people with lower cotinine levels. Though the danger of impairment was lesser in people with lower cotinine levels, the risk still remained noteworthy.

The study is a further motivation to ban public smoking more vehemently by the concerned authorities.

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