Smoking Boomers Show More Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline – a decline in mental functioning affecting memory, attention, and visual-spatial ability - occurs in most of us as we get older. There are good tests to measure cognitive ability, and they were applied in a study from the Netherlands that investigated the role of smoking in affecting such a decline. The results were published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Almost 2,000 men and women, aged 43 to 70, had their cognitive function tested at baseline and 5 years later. Memory, speed of cognitive processes, cognitive flexibility, and overall cognitive function were assessed. The participants were classified at baseline into smokers, never smokers, and former smokers.

At baseline, smokers scored lower than never smokers in overall cognitive function, speed, and flexibility of cognitive function. After 5 years, the decline in test was between 1.7 and 2.4 times greater (depending on the test) for smokers than for never smokers. Among ‘ever smokers’ (i.e. this includes smokers and former smokers) the declines were dose-dependent; that’s to say, the declines was greater in those with higher numbers of pack-years smoked.

The results show that smoking seriously affects cognitive ability, but that the effect can be mitigated if the smoker quits. Boomers need to quit at once if they want to enjoy a cognitive-rich old age. ' Nuff said.