Smoking Damages Memory, Learning And Reasoning-- A Study

A study conducted by researchers at King's College London revealed that smoking rots brain by damaging memory, learning and reasoning. A study of 8800 people ove 50's indicated that high blood pressuure and being overweight also affect brain but to a lesser extent. Scientists involved in the study said that people should be aware that lifestyle could affect the brain as well as the body. Their study was published in Age And Ageing. The researchers at King's College were investing the links between the likelihood of heart attack or stroke and state of brain. Data about the health and lifestyle of a group of people over- 50's was collected and brain tests, such as making the participants learn new words and the names of animals as many as they could in a minute, were performed. They were all tested again after four and eight years. The results showed that overall risk between heart attack or stroke was "singnificantly associated with cognitive decline" and those at highest risks showing the greatest decline. It also showed that that there was "consistent association' between smoking and lower scores at the test. One of the researcher Dr Alex Dragan said " we have identified a number of risk factors which could be associated with accelerated cognitive decline, all of which, could be modifiable." He added we need to make the people aware of the change in life style because of the risk of cognitive decline. Dr Simon Ridley, from Alzheimer's Reaserch UK, said," Research has repeatdly linked smoking and high blood pressure to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia and this study adds furher weight to that evidence. " These results underline the importance of looking after your cardiovascular health from mid-life." The Alzheimer's Society said," We all know smoking, high blood pressure, high cholestrol level and BMI ( Body Mass Index) is bad for our heart. This research adds to the huge amount of evidence that also suggests thery can be be bad for head too." " One in three people over 65 will develop demetia but there are things people do to reduce the risk. Eating a balaced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, excercising regularly, getting your blood prssure and cholestrol checked and not smokinmg can all make a difference."