Nicotine patches may help patients with mild cognitive impairment
One of the most popular over the counter medications is the nicotine patch.
One of the most popular over the counter medications is the nicotine patch. While these items are usually purchased by people who are trying to quit smoking, new research from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine suggests that people with mild cognitive impairment may also benefit from this product.
Previous studies showed improved cognitive performance in former smokers and Alzheimer's disease patients who were both treated with nicotine. For the new experiment, the scientists were interested in the drug's effects on people with mild cognitive impairment, which causes mild memory problems without severe disability.
The trial involved 74 nonsmokers with an average age of 76. Half of them were assigned to six months of treatment with nicotine patches, while the rest received placebos.
Results showed that the former group regained 46 percent of normal performance on cognitive tests, while the latter had 26 percent decrease in score, as published in the journal Neurology. Nicotine may stimulate certain brain receptors that are lost in Alzheimer's disease, the scientists said.
"People with mild memory loss should not start smoking or using nicotine patches by themselves, because there are harmful effects of smoking, and a medication such as nicotine should only be used with a doctor's supervision," said researcher Paul Newhouse, MD. "But this study provides strong justification for further research into the use of nicotine for people with early signs of memory loss."
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