The "protective" influence of cigarette smoking on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Quagmire or opportunity for neuroepidemiology?
The negative association between smoking and both Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases is a consistent epidemiologic finding. This observation has prompted many investigators to conclude that cigarette smoking must be "biologically protective" against AD and PD. Rather than suggesting some as-yet-undefined pathogenetic clue, however, this negative association more likely is indicative of the under-appreciated influence of differential survival in epidemiologic studies.
Riggs
J E
JE
Department of Neurology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, USA.
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015984:Causality; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015983:Selection Bias; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D015996:Survival Rate
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents