Does cigarette smoking do nothing but harm?
Journal
Neurology
Journal Volume
90
Journal Issue
7
Pages
307-308
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
All human diseases are, to some extent, caused by an interaction between genetic makeup and environmental factors. Smoking is a major environmental factor for lots of diseases, including cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal mucosa ulcer, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease.1 Thus, it was reasonable to think that smoking does nothing but harm. Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, a multietiologic disorder related to genetic and environmental factors. On the basis of epidemiologic studies, the association of PD with potential environmental risk factors includes rural living, well-water consumption, farming, and pesticide use, as well as environmental protective factors such as cigarette smoking, coffee consumption, intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and high serum ureic acid level. In particular, studies have shown a consistent strong inverse association of PD with cigarette smoking. However, it is still unknown what component of cigarette smoking is potentially neuroprotective or by what mechanism.
SDGs
Other Subjects
nicotine; cigarette smoking; disease association; dopaminergic transmission; Editorial; genetic risk; genotype environment interaction; health hazard; human; neuroprotection; Parkinson disease; priority journal; risk factor; single nucleotide polymorphism; smoking; smoking cessation; Cigarette Smoking; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Smoking; Smoking Cessation
Type
editorial