Tobacco Use and Cognitive Functioning in Veterans of the Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan

Dev Neuropsychol. 2019 Aug;44(5):409-416. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2019.1632862. Epub 2019 Jun 21.

Abstract

Tobacco use is a prevalent problem in the general population as well as among military veterans. Despite the fact that tobacco users are at an increased risk of many medical and psychiatric comorbidities, the risk of cognitive impairment in younger active tobacco users is less studied. Military veterans from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (n = 113) were administered a neuropsychological protocol. Even after controlling for the severity of PTSD symptoms, tobacco use was negatively related to performance on measures of processing speed, memory, and executive functioning. The current findings have implications for the neuropsychological evaluation of tobacco users.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afghan Campaign 2001-
  • Afghanistan
  • Cognition / drug effects*
  • Comorbidity
  • Executive Function / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iraq
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011
  • Male
  • Memory / drug effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel / psychology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Tobacco Use / adverse effects*
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data