A new study conducted by researchers from University College London found that smoking may be one of the most significant lifestyle factors affecting the rate at which our cognitive skills decline as we age. The study analyzed data from 32,000 adults aged 50 and older across 14 European countries, who responded to surveys over a span of 10 years. The researchers examined how rates of cognitive decline differed among cognitively healthy older adults and those with varying combinations of health-related behaviors, including smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and social engagement. Cognitive function was assessed based on participants' performance in memory and verbal fluency tests.
The research team discovered that cognitive decline was faster among smokers, with smoking associated with an 85% decrease in cognitive scores over 10 years. The study noted that these results excluded smokers who maintained a healthy lifestyle in all other aspects, meaning that they exercised and engaged socially on a regular basis. The lead author of the study, Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg, stated, "Our study is observational, so causation cannot be definitively determined, but it suggests that smoking may be a particularly important factor influencing the rate of cognitive aging. Previous evidence indicates that individuals who engage in healthier behaviors experience slower cognitive decline. However, it wasn’t clear whether all behaviors contributed equally to cognitive decline, or if specific behaviors led to these outcomes."
She added, "For individuals unable to quit smoking, our results suggest that engaging in other healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise, may help mitigate the harmful cognitive effects associated with smoking."
