Nicotine Patches Fail to Slow Parkinson’s Progression: Lessons from the NIC-PD Trial
Dr. Kumar’s Take
For years, researchers have wondered if nicotine might protect the brain in Parkinson’s disease, since smokers are less likely to develop it. This large trial tested whether nicotine patches could slow disease progression in newly diagnosed patients. The results were disappointing: nicotine did not slow progression and may have worsened outcomes in some measures.
For patients and families, the key lesson is that nicotine, whether from patches, gums, or tobacco, is not a safe or effective treatment for Parkinson’s. Instead, focus should remain on proven therapies and healthy lifestyle strategies that support brain health.