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In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >> In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >> Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >> Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >> Certain gene variants linked to prostate cancer may make men more susceptible to lower urinary tract symptoms, according to a new study. More >> Certain gene variants linked to prostate cancer may make men more susceptible to lower urinary tract symptoms, according to a new study. On the other hand, a different gene variant might protect against those symptoms.More >> Colonoscopies helped doctors detect a high rate of curable cancer in elderly people who had the screening for the first time, a new study indicates.More >> Colonoscopies helped doctors detect a high rate of curable cancer in elderly people who had the screening for the first time, a new study indicates.More >> New Mexico has the highest rate of injury-related deaths in the United States, while New Jersey has the lowest rate, according to a new report.More >> New Mexico has the highest rate of injury-related deaths in the United States, while New Jersey has the lowest rate, according to a new report.More >> Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >> Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >> In a new study, teens who loved listening to music blasting at high decibels on their MP3 players were also more likely than others to smoke marijuana.More >> In a new study, teens who loved listening to music blasting at high decibels on their MP3 players were also more likely than others to smoke marijuana.More >> The use of oral contraceptives by younger women or hormone therapy by older women may be linked with inflammatory bowel disease, new research indicates.More >> The use of oral contraceptives by younger women or hormone therapy by older women may be linked with inflammatory bowel disease, new research indicates.More >> Men with severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, are at greater risk for impotence, according to a new study that finds young men and the elderly at particular risk.More >> Men with severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, are at greater risk for impotence, according to a new study that finds young men and the elderly at particular risk.More >> Having so-called intensivist physicians on staff in intensive care units during the night can reduce death rates in ICUs.More >> Having so-called intensivist physicians on staff in intensive care units during the night can reduce death rates in ICUs that do not have similar coverage during the day, according to a large new study.More >>
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In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >> In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >> Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >> Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >> Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >> Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >> Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >> Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >> Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >> Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >> In a new study, teens who loved listening to music blasting at high decibels on their MP3 players were also more likely than others to smoke marijuana.More >> In a new study, teens who loved listening to music blasting at high decibels on their MP3 players were also more likely than others to smoke marijuana.More >> In addition to over-the-counter and prescription medications, there are a few additional moves that can help ease the sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes of seasonal allergies.More >> In addition to over-the-counter and prescription medications, there are a few additional moves that can help ease the sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes of seasonal allergies.More >> A preliminary study links chemicals found in certain sunscreens to a higher risk of endometriosis.More >> A preliminary study links chemicals found in certain sunscreens to a higher risk of endometriosis, but it's too soon to say whether there's any reason for women to change their habits.More >> It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. More >> It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. But there was a hidden catch: The pictures showed the same six women both before and after weight-loss.More >> Children with autism given a squirt of a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin showed more activity in brain regions involved with processing social information.More >> Children with autism given a squirt of a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin showed more activity in brain regions known to be involved with processing social information, a small study found.More >>
(NBC) - The latest weapon in the fight against memory loss may be found over-the-counter in your drug store.
People may start using the nicotine patch for something other than giving up smoking. There's new evidence it could boost brain power.
"Nicotine-treated patients do better on learning tasks, attention tasks, memory tasks," said Dr. Paul Newhouse of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Dr. Newhouse led a study of non-smoking adults, most of whom were in their mid-70's. They all had mild cognitive impairment, a condition that's a bit more than typical "senior moments," but not quite bad enough to be diagnosed as dementia. Those who wore a nicotine patch for six months did better on tests of memory and thinking skills, while those on a placebo patch did progressively worse.
"We think that nicotine can directly stimulate cells in the brain that are helpful for attention and memory," said Dr. Newhouse.
Although more studies are needed there were no side effects or signs of nicotine addiction or withdrawal even after a year.
"Everything we've seen so far suggests that the benefit is sustained over time," Dr. Newhouse said.
Researchers say those benefits do not mean people should start treating their own memory malfunctions with nicotine in patch or cigarette form. But outside experts say the new research is promising and a necessity.
"A real crisis in this country is the fact that baby boomers are turning into the age of risk for Alzheimer's disease, said Dr. Ron Petersen of the Mayo Clinic. "Just last year the first wave of baby boomers turned 65."
Perhaps a treatment that helps smokers kick the habit can also help kick-start aging brains.
Drug maker Pfizer supplied the nicotine patches for the study, but had no other involvement. The study was sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.
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