Quitting Smoking Linked to Slower Cognitive Decline, Even Later in Life
New research suggests that stopping smoking, nonetheless of age, is associated with a considerably slower rate of cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of dementia. A study analyzing data from nearly 9,500 individuals across 12 countries found ample cognitive benefits for those who quit smoking compared to those who continued.
Researchers at University Collage London (UCL) examined data collected over six years from participants aged 40 and older (average age 58) in Spain,Austria,Germany,Sweden,the Netherlands,Italy,France,Denmark,Switzerland,Belgium,the united States,and the United Kingdom. The study, published in the Lancet Healthy Longevity, compared cognitive performance between over 4,700 former smokers and a comparable group of current smokers, carefully matching participants based on initial cognitive scores, age, gender, education, and country of origin.
Prior to cessation, both groups exhibited similar rates of decline in cognitive tests measuring memory and verbal fluency.However,after the former smokers quit,a clear divergence emerged. Over the following six years,those who had stopped smoking experienced a 50% slower rate of decline in verbal fluency and 20% less memory loss compared to those who continued to smoke.This benefit was observed consistently across participants from all represented countries.
Researchers translated these findings into a practical timeframe, noting that former smokers experienced the equivalent of three to four months less memory decline and six months less decline in verbal fluency for each year of aging, when compared to continuing smokers.
the study builds upon decades of established research demonstrating the detrimental effects of smoking on brain health. these effects are linked to both cardiovascular damage – impacting blood flow to the brain - and the induction of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, processes that can destroy neurons. While previous studies showed short-term cognitive improvements after quitting, this research confirms those benefits are sustained over time, even for those who quit after age 50.
“We already knew that quitting smoking, even in old age, brings improvements in physical health and well-being,” stated Mikaela Bloomberg, a researcher at the UCL Institute of epidemiology and Health. “With this study, we see that this also helps maintain better cognitive health in the long term, so it’s never too late to quit.”
Andrew Steptoe, a UCL epidemiologist, further emphasized the significance of the findings, noting that “slower cognitive decline is associated with a lower risk of dementia,” reinforcing the conclusion that quitting smoking represents a valuable preventative strategy against this disease.
