Nicotine may reduce memory loss in older adults, the American Academy of Neurology said in excerpts of a study published in January.

Half of a sample group of 74 non-smokers with an average age of 76 and mild cognitive memory impairment were given a 15 mg nicotine patch daily for six months. The other half received a placebo.
Testing of memory and thinking during the study period showed the nicotine group regained 46 per cent of long-term memory performance adjusted for age. Performance in the placebo group worsened by 26 per cent. There were no serious side effects among participants in the nicotine group.
Study results appear in the 10 Jan. issue of Neurology, a medical journal published by the academy.
The National Institute on Aging and National Institute of General Medical Sciences supported the study. Pfizer Inc. provided nicotine patches, the academy said.  (pi)