<p>Smoking 'rots' the brain by damaging memory, learning and reasoning, according to a new study.</p>.<p>Researchers from the King's College London in brain tests and analysis of health and lifestyle data of a group of over-50s found that smoking affects the brain negatively even more than high blood pressure and obesity.<br /><br />Participants took brain tests like learning new words or naming as many animals as they could in a minute, the BBC News reported.<br /><br />They were all tested again after four and then eight years.<br /><br />Researchers found a "consistent association" between smoking and lower scores in the tests.<br /><br />The study of 8,800 people also found that high blood pressure and being overweight also seemed to affect the brain, but to a lesser extent.<br />Scientists involved said people needed to be aware that lifestyles could damage the mind as well as the body.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"Cognitive decline becomes more common with ageing and for an increasing number of people interferes with daily functioning and well-being. We have identified a number of risk factors which could be associated with accelerated cognitive decline, all of which, could be modifiable," researcher Dr Alex Dregan, said.<br /><br />"We need to make people aware of the need to do some lifestyle changes because of the risk of cognitive decline," he said.<br />Researchers do not know how such a decline could affect people going about their daily life. They are also unsure whether the early drop in brain function could lead to conditions such as dementia.<br /><br />"Research has repeatedly linked smoking and high blood pressure to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia, and this study adds further weight to that evidence," Dr Simon Ridley, from Alzheimer's Research UK, said.<br /><br />"We all know smoking, a high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and a high BMI [Body Mass Index] is bad for our heart. This research adds to the huge amount of evidence that also suggests they can be bad for our head too," The Alzheimer's Society added.<br /><br />"Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked and not smoking can all make a difference," it said.<br /><br />The study was published in the journal Age and Ageing. </p>
<p>Smoking 'rots' the brain by damaging memory, learning and reasoning, according to a new study.</p>.<p>Researchers from the King's College London in brain tests and analysis of health and lifestyle data of a group of over-50s found that smoking affects the brain negatively even more than high blood pressure and obesity.<br /><br />Participants took brain tests like learning new words or naming as many animals as they could in a minute, the BBC News reported.<br /><br />They were all tested again after four and then eight years.<br /><br />Researchers found a "consistent association" between smoking and lower scores in the tests.<br /><br />The study of 8,800 people also found that high blood pressure and being overweight also seemed to affect the brain, but to a lesser extent.<br />Scientists involved said people needed to be aware that lifestyles could damage the mind as well as the body.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"Cognitive decline becomes more common with ageing and for an increasing number of people interferes with daily functioning and well-being. We have identified a number of risk factors which could be associated with accelerated cognitive decline, all of which, could be modifiable," researcher Dr Alex Dregan, said.<br /><br />"We need to make people aware of the need to do some lifestyle changes because of the risk of cognitive decline," he said.<br />Researchers do not know how such a decline could affect people going about their daily life. They are also unsure whether the early drop in brain function could lead to conditions such as dementia.<br /><br />"Research has repeatedly linked smoking and high blood pressure to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia, and this study adds further weight to that evidence," Dr Simon Ridley, from Alzheimer's Research UK, said.<br /><br />"We all know smoking, a high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and a high BMI [Body Mass Index] is bad for our heart. This research adds to the huge amount of evidence that also suggests they can be bad for our head too," The Alzheimer's Society added.<br /><br />"Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked and not smoking can all make a difference," it said.<br /><br />The study was published in the journal Age and Ageing. </p>