Khaberni - Previous studies have shown that excessive smoking during middle age is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by more than 100% after more than two decades. It was believed that this effect was primarily due to the damage caused by smoking to the heart, blood vessels, and lungs.
However, scientists from the University of Chicago have uncovered a new mechanism, revealing that smoking causes a disruption in the communication between the lungs and the brain. According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, special neuronal cells in the lungs were found to release substances that affect the balance of iron within neurons when exposed to nicotine, leading to common symptoms observed in dementia patients.
The researchers noted that these cells are very rare, combining characteristics of neurons and endocrine cells. With each puff of a cigarette, these cells release large amounts of substances that affect the iron balance in the body, which may contribute to the development of dementia symptoms.
They confirmed that understanding the communication pathways between the lungs and the brain will help in developing more effective preventative and therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
