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Nicotine Improves Brain Function In Schizophrenics

Posted by kdawson on from the hallucinations-are-a-drag dept.

An anonymous reader suggests a Cosmos Magazine note that nicotine has been shown to enhance attention and memory in schizophrenics. Research is now aimed at developing new treatments that could relieve symptoms and prevent smoking-related deaths. "A strong link between schizophrenia and smoking — with over three times as many schizophrenics smoking (70 to 90%) as the population at large — prompted scientists to investigate the link. Researchers led by Ruth Barr, a psychiatrist at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, set out to find if the nicotine in cigarettes was helping patients to overcome their difficulties with cognitive function, such as planning and memory in social and work settings."

2 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting by Dustie · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As I suffer from schizophrenia myself I know how bad your memory can get because of it. Maybe there is a connection between I stopped smoking and I (finally) got a diagnose on what was wrong with me. Perhaps it made the symptoms clearer?

    I sure hope it is correct and doesn't get debunked.

  2. Re:Typical by BubbaDave · · Score: 5, Interesting

    We have genetic engineers- it's about time to crossbreed tobacco with coffee so coffee has caffeine and nicotine.

    Dave