<p>Scientists have found that nicotine patches help improve the memory of elderly people experiencing the earliest symptoms of dementia, a finding they say could lead to effective use of nicotine to treat people with mild cognitive impairment.<br /><br /></p>.<p>However, experts said the results of the small study are not conclusive, merely hinting of a benefit and do not mean people should smoke.<br /><br />Scientists have known for some time that the brain contains receptors that respond to nicotine and that a number of these are lost in Alzheimer’s.<br /><br />In the latest study, a team at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville looked at 67 elderly people with “pre-dementia” or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and treated them with nicotine patches that deliver the addictive chemical found in cigarettes.<br />After six months of treatment, the researchers performed on the patients tests designed to assess memory, attention and response times.<br /><br />It was found that the nicotine-treated group regained 46 per cent of normal performance for age on long-term memory, whereas the placebo group worsened by 26 per cent over the same time period, the BBC reported.<br /><br />However, the findings were not statistically significant — a measure investigators need results to meet in order to rule out any chance findings.<br /><br />Lead author Dr Paul Newhouse said: “This study provides strong justification for further research into the use of nicotine for people with early signs of memory loss.<br />“We do not know whether benefits persist over long periods of time and provide meaningful improvement.”<br /><br />Dr Derek Hill, at University College London, said the study gave some exciting evidence that mild memory problems might be treatable before they develop into dementia.<br /><br />But, he added: “Nicotine is just one of the existing or experimental drugs that could prove beneficial for this patient group. It should encourage more investment into research into possible treatments.” <br /></p>
<p>Scientists have found that nicotine patches help improve the memory of elderly people experiencing the earliest symptoms of dementia, a finding they say could lead to effective use of nicotine to treat people with mild cognitive impairment.<br /><br /></p>.<p>However, experts said the results of the small study are not conclusive, merely hinting of a benefit and do not mean people should smoke.<br /><br />Scientists have known for some time that the brain contains receptors that respond to nicotine and that a number of these are lost in Alzheimer’s.<br /><br />In the latest study, a team at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville looked at 67 elderly people with “pre-dementia” or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and treated them with nicotine patches that deliver the addictive chemical found in cigarettes.<br />After six months of treatment, the researchers performed on the patients tests designed to assess memory, attention and response times.<br /><br />It was found that the nicotine-treated group regained 46 per cent of normal performance for age on long-term memory, whereas the placebo group worsened by 26 per cent over the same time period, the BBC reported.<br /><br />However, the findings were not statistically significant — a measure investigators need results to meet in order to rule out any chance findings.<br /><br />Lead author Dr Paul Newhouse said: “This study provides strong justification for further research into the use of nicotine for people with early signs of memory loss.<br />“We do not know whether benefits persist over long periods of time and provide meaningful improvement.”<br /><br />Dr Derek Hill, at University College London, said the study gave some exciting evidence that mild memory problems might be treatable before they develop into dementia.<br /><br />But, he added: “Nicotine is just one of the existing or experimental drugs that could prove beneficial for this patient group. It should encourage more investment into research into possible treatments.” <br /></p>
