Smoking ‘rots’ brain, says King’s College study

DHAKA: Smoking ‘rots’ the brain by damaging memory, learning and reasoning, according to researchers at King’s College London.

A study of 8,800 people over 50 showed high blood pressure and being overweight also seemed to affect the brain, but to a lesser extent.

Scientists involved said people needed to be aware that lifestyles could damage the mind as well as the body.

Their study was published in the journal Age and Ageing, reports the BBC.

Researchers at King’s were investigating links between the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke and the state of the brain.

Data about the health and lifestyle of a group of over-50s was collected and brain tests, such as making participants learn new words or name as many animals as they could in a minute, were also performed.

They were all tested again after four and then eight years.

The results showed that the overall risk of a heart attack or stroke was ‘significantly associated with cognitive decline’ with those at the highest risk showing the greatest decline.

It also said there was a ‘consistent association’ between smoking and lower scores in the tests.

BDST: 2017 HRS, NOV 27, 2012
Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor