Previous research has suggested that smokers are less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease. A new study finds that nicotine patches may be similarly helpful. In the latest investigation, 67 nonsmoking patients with mild cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to wear a transdermal nicotine patch (15 milligrams daily) or a placebo patch. After six months, those receiving nicotine patches scored higher on a battery of standardized tests that measured attention, memory and psychomotor skills. Full findings appear in the Jan. 10 issue of Neurology.