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David J Llewellyn, Iain A Lang, Kenneth M Langa, Felix Naughton, and Fiona E Matthews
Exposure to secondhand smoke and cognitive impairment in non-smokers: national cross sectional study with cotinine measurement
BMJ 2009; 338: b462 [Abstract] [Full text]
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[Read Rapid Response] Another Reason for Stop Smoking
Rizaldy Pinzon   (15 February 2009)

Another Reason for Stop Smoking 15 February 2009
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Rizaldy Pinzon,
Neurologist
Bethesda hospital Yogyakarta Indonesia 55224

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Re: Another Reason for Stop Smoking

Evidence from small retrospective studies has suggested -- surprisingly -- that there is an inverse relation between smoking and Alzheimer's disease.Many previous study has been done to answer the controversy. The study from Llewellyn, et.al. (2009) confirmed the negative effect of smoking to memory. Even passive smoking is associated with cognitive decline. This study should give an answer about the controversy about the effect of smoking on memory impairment. Anstey, et.al. (2007) assessed the association of smoking with dementia and cognitive decline in a meta-analysis of 19 prospective studies with at least 12 months of follow-up.The review showed that elderly smokers have increased risks of dementia and cognitive decline. Other study from Nooyens, et.al. (2008) showed that among ever smokers, the declines in all cognitive domains were larger with increasing number of pack-years smoked.Interventions to prevent or stop people from smoking may postpone cognitive decline in middle-aged persons.There is a need for government regulation to protect people for being exposed of smoking in public places.

References Llewellyn DJ, Lang IA, Langa KM, Naughton F, Matthews FE, Exposure to secondhand smoke and cognitive impairment in non-smokers: national cross sectional study with cotinine measurement, BMJ 2009;338:b462

Anstey KJ, Sanden CS, Salim A, O'Kearney R, Smoking as a Risk Factor for Dementia and Cognitive Decline: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies, Am. J. Epidemiol.2007 166(4):367-378

Nooyens ACJ, van Gelder BM, Verschuren WMM, Smoking and Cognitive Decline Among Middle-Aged Men and Women: The Doetinchem Cohort Study, Am J Public Health, 2008; 98(12): 2244 - 2250

Competing interests: None declared