Abstract

Dementia has become a serious problem worldwide due to the rapidly increasing incidence rate and the lack of effective treatments that cure or slow disease progression, and thus. prevention is crucial. Some studies suggests that cigarette smoking may increase the risk of developing dementia, but others suggest that smoking may have a neuroprotective effect. To clarify our understanding of the relationship between cigarette smoking and dementia, this study examined the effects of smoking on multiple cognitive domains via secondary data analysis of a sample consisting of 54% female subjects with an average age of 58±13 years. Measures of executive function, verbal memory, attention, and processing speed were administered to two groups of dementia patients, never smokers and current/former smokers. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to test smoking status as a predictor of functioning in each of these four cognitive domains after controlling for potentially confounding factors such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, and substance use. No relationship was found between smoking, any of the covariates, and cognitive performance in any domain. Future research should utilize a prospective design and administer neuropsychological batteries to participants in early or middle adulthood who have not been yet diagnosed with dementia.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Morrell, Holly E. R.

Second Advisor

Arechiga, Adam L.

Third Advisor

Haerich, Paul E.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2014

Date (Title Page)

9-2014

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Dementia; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Cognition Disorders; Memory Disorders; Smoking - Adverse Effects

Subject - Local

Neuroprotective Effects; Cigarette Smoking; Hierarchical Linear Regression Analysis

Type

Thesis

Page Count

57

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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