Shillong, August 16: A recent study reveals a potential connection between grey matter levels in specific brain regions and the inclination to start smoking during adolescence, as well as the reinforcement of nicotine addiction.
The research, conducted by teams from the universities of Cambridge and Warwick in the UK, along with Fudan University in China, involved analyzing brain imaging and behavioral data from over 800 young individuals aged 14, 19, and 23.
As per IANS, the findings highlight that teenagers initiating smoking at 14 exhibit lower grey matter volume in the left frontal lobe, a region associated with decision-making and rule-breaking. Moreover, reduced grey matter in the right portion of the same brain area was also observed in smokers. Particularly noteworthy is the accelerated loss of grey matter in the right prefrontal cortex after smoking initiation, a region linked to sensation-seeking behavior.
The study suggests that diminished grey matter in the left forebrain might lead to impaired cognitive function, potentially fostering impulsive and rule-breaking actions due to reduced capacity to consider consequences. This, in turn, could increase the likelihood of early smoking habits. Professor Trevor Robbins, co-senior author from Cambridge’s Department of Psychology, emphasized the significance of detecting markers that indicate a heightened predisposition to smoking initiation, as addressing this could contribute to saving numerous lives.
With an anticipated global cigarette-related death toll of eight million by the decade’s end, understanding the interplay between brain structures and behavior becomes crucial. Professor Barbara Sahakian from Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry explained that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a hub for dopamine, plays a pivotal role in pleasure and self-control. Diminished grey matter in this region could potentially limit cognitive function, leading to reduced self-control and an inclination toward risky behaviors like smoking.
The study also examined the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which experiences grey matter loss with age. However, individuals who began smoking at ages 14 and 19 displayed excessive grey matter reduction in the right frontal lobe, indicating a potential association between smoking and accelerated grey matter loss.