Longitudinal Assessments of Neurocognitive Performance and Brain Structure Associated With Initiation of Tobacco Use in Children, 2016 to 2021

New findings from the ABCD study:

JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2225991. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.25991

| Question:  How is initiation of tobacco use, including electronic cigarettes, cigarettes, and other tobacco products, at an early age associated with children’s neurocognitive functions?

| Findings:  In this national cohort study of 17 073 children with neuroimaging outcomes, a significant association was found of early-age initiation of tobacco use with lower crystalized cognition composite score and impaired brain development in total cortical area and volume. Region of interest analysis also revealed smaller cortical area and volume across frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes.

| Meaning:  These findings suggest that initiation of tobacco use is associated with inferior neurocognitive functions; evidence-based intervention strategies and tobacco control policies should prevent tobacco initiation at a young age.

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