Tobacco.org

Nicotine 'may bring Alzheimer's cure' 

Nicotine could in future yield a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease, scientists have revealed.

Researchers found that a by-product of the compound which hooks smokers appears to protect the brain from the devastating dementia illness.

But the discovery should not be seen as an excuse to smoke. The substance, nornicotine, is toxic, and could not itself be used as a medication. But scientists believe further research might produce harmless compounds that mimic the action of nornicotine in fighting Alzheimer's.

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