(ProTimeHub) – Recent research has unveiled a concerning revelation regarding the impact of smoking on the brain, leading to its shrinkage. Notably, genetics significantly contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to this effect, with about half of the associated risk linked to genetic factors.
Scientists from Washington University School of Medicine in the United States have underscored that smoking expedites the natural process of brain volume reduction, a process that typically unfolds with age, essentially causing premature aging of the brain. These findings offer crucial insights into the heightened vulnerability of smokers to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.
The research highlights a shift in perspective, emphasizing the long-overlooked impact of smoking on the brain. While the adverse effects of smoking on the lungs and heart have traditionally taken center stage, this study draws attention to the equally significant consequences for the brain.
Laura J. Bierut, a professor of psychiatry and the senior author of the study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science, recognizes the importance of this research in illuminating the effects of smoking on the brain.
Read Smoking – effects on your body
Bierut found that smoking is harmful to the brain
According to Bierut’s findings, smoking poses harm to the brain, and while quitting can prevent further damage, it cannot fully restore the brain. Previous studies highlighting a genetic component to both brain size and behavior prompted researchers to analyze data from the UK Biobank to unravel the intricate relationship between genes, brain structure, and smoking behavior.
The analysis revealed correlations between smoking history, genetic smoking risk, and brain volume, indicating that individuals who smoked more tended to have smaller brain volumes. Intriguingly, when considering all three factors together, the correlation between genetic risk and brain volume disappeared. However, the correlations between smoking history and genetic smoking risk, as well as between brain volume and smoking history, remained unchanged.
Through rigorous statistical analysis, the researchers established a sequence of events: genetic risk leads to smoking, which, in turn, results in a decrease in brain volume. This discovery is alarming, as a reduction in brain size corresponds to an accelerated aging process, a matter of concern given the aging population and the associated risks for dementia.
Moreover, the researchers observed that the effects of brain shrinkage were irreversible. Analysis of data from individuals who had quit smoking years prior revealed that their brains remained permanently smaller compared to those who had never smoked. While the damage already incurred cannot be reversed, the researchers emphasize the importance of preventing further harm, a sentiment echoed by Yoonhoo Chang, the first author and a graduate student at the university.
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