Study: Nicotine Patches May Aid Memories of Older People

Nicotine patches may help boost the recall of older people suffering from mild memory loss, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

Although nicotine has not been approved for long-term use, the research could point the way toward other nicotine-like drugs that might improve memory without the side effects of nicotine.

In their small study of 11 senior citizens, the researchers found that four weeks of nicotine treatment halved the participants' decision times on a standardized memory test and increased their ability to focus their attention -- a skill critical for learning and memory.

The participants' assessments of their own memories also improved signficantly. Only mild side effects, including skin irritation and nausea, were reported.

"In folks with relatively minor changes in their memory and thinking, there was some improvement with nicotine skin patches in the areas of attention and their general perception of their own memory," said Duke researcher Dr. Heidi White. "We hope that will translate into treatments that allow people to actually function better in their daily lives."

Duke researcher Edward Levin said nicotine mimics the natural chemical acetylcholine, a nerve signal that plays a role in learning and memory among other functions.

"While the results are encouraging, seniors should not try nicotine skin patches until larger studies testing the efficacy and safety of their use have been conducted," Levin added.

Other sources: Duke University Medical Center