Although the unfavourable effects of cigarette smoking on the brain have been demonstrated in current smokers, it is unclear whether the neurotoxic effects of smoking on the brain are permanent or reversible after smoking cessation. Our results showed that ex-smokers had a decreased CBF when compared to never-smokers, especially in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). The present findings may explain in part the frequently reported cognitive dysfunctions in ex-smokers. However, the affected brain region was less extensive than the previous studies which compared current smokers and never smokers, suggesting the potential to partially recover from smoking-related CBF deficit.
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