Nicotine Patch May Help Improve Memory

Nashville, TN—According to a recent study published in Neurology, people with mild cognitive impairment may benefit from the use of a transdermal nicotine patch. The study involved 74 people with an average age of 76 years who had mild cognitive impairment and were not smokers. Half of the participants received a nicotine patch of 15 mg per day and half received a placebo. After 6 months of treatment, the nicotine-treated group regained 46% of normal performance for age on long-term memory, whereas the placebo group worsened by 26%. “This study provides strong justification for further research into the use of nicotine for people with early signs of memory loss,” said researcher Paul Newhouse, MD, of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville.