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Nicotine for Alzheimer's diseaseLópez-Arrieta J, Sanz FJFJS
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SummaryNo evidence of the efficacy of nicotine for Alzheimer's diseaseNicotine has been related to recovery of memory in humans and animal models and some observational studies have been compatible with a protective effect of nicotine inhalation against Alzheimer's disease. At present, there is great controversy over this possible effect of tobacco use, and evidence is inconclusive. This review found no evidence on which to recommend nicotine for Alzheimer's disease.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 Issue 4, Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
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April 23. 2001 AbstractBackgroundNicotine is a cholinergic agonist that also has a presynaptic effect in releasing acetylcholine. It has been shown to reverse spatial memory deficits produced in rats by lesions in the medial septal nucleus of their brains, and, in aged monkeys, nicotine administration improves memory and alertness to visual stimuli. Observational studies have suggested a protective effect of smoking against Alzheimer's disease, but recent studies have called this into question. Smoking is a risk factor for stroke and so, possibly, for vascular dementia. Because nicotine has adverse effects, it is important to conduct a systematic review to assess its clinical efficacy and safety for people with Alzheimer's disease. ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of nicotine, administered in any way or form, for people with Alzheimer's disease. Search strategyThe Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (CDCIG), The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS were searched on 10 January 2008 using the term: nicotine. The CDCIG Specialized Register contains records from all major health care databases (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS) as well as from many trials databases and grey literature sources. The latest search performed in January 2008 retrieved three new studies for consideration; none of these met the inclusion criteria for the review. Selection criteriaAll unconfounded, double-blind, randomized trials in which treatment with nicotine patches, or administration of nicotine intravenously, or in any other way or form, was administered for more than a day and compared with placebo for people with Alzheimer's disease. Data collection and analysisThe one included trial did not present results suitable for inclusion in the review. Main resultsThere were no results available from the one included study. Authors' conclusionsThis review is not able to provide any evidence that nicotine is or is not a useful treatment for Alzheimer´s disease. |