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Published on: February 14, 2014
Smoking, childhood IQ, and cognitive function in old age
Janie Corley1, Alan J Gow, John M Starr
1Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|July 14, 2012
Summary
Smoking in old age negatively impacts cognitive performance, particularly general cognitive ability and processing speed. This effect persists even after accounting for childhood intelligence and socioeconomic status.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Smoking is a major public health concern with known detrimental effects on physical health.
- Its long-term impact on cognitive function in older adults, independent of early life factors, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between smoking history and cognitive function in later life.
- To determine if this association remains significant after adjusting for childhood cognitive ability and adult socioeconomic status.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 Study, including 1080 participants.
- Assessed smoking history, childhood IQ, adult socioeconomic status (SES), and cognitive functions (IQ, general cognitive ability, processing speed, memory, verbal ability) at age 70.
Main Results:
- Lower childhood IQ was linked to increased smoking risk and reduced lung function (FEV1) in late life.
- Current smokers exhibited lower scores in age 70 IQ, general cognitive ability, and processing speed compared to ex-smokers and never smokers.
- Current smoking at age 70, but not cumulative smoking (pack years), independently predicted poorer general cognitive ability and processing speed, even after controlling for childhood IQ and SES.
Conclusions:
- Current smoking in old age contributes independently to diminished cognitive performance.
- These findings highlight the importance of smoking cessation in preserving cognitive health in later life.
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