A Moderated-Mediation Model of Alzheimer's disease and Cognitive Dysfunction Lead Investigator: Allen Kluttz Institution : Nova southeastern University E-Mail : ak1085@mynsu.nova.edu Proposal ID : 768 Proposal Description: The causal relationships between smoking and cognitive deficit in Alzheimer???s disease has not been previously examined. This study proposes various causal factors in the relationship between smoking and cognitive dysfunction and devises the methods to test them. In particular, this proposal highlights determining whether hypertension, thyroid disease, heart attack/cardiac arrest, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure mediate the relationship between smoking use and cognitive dysfunction among those with Alzheimer???s disease. It is hypothesized that smoking is associated with cognitive dysfunction on all measured cognitive components, through the aforementioned mediators further, that education will moderate the effects of the mediators in their roles to cognitive deficits. This study will utilize the National Alzheimer???s Coordination Center database. The study will test the proposed moderated mediator model. If this model is supported, then causal relationships between AD and smoking may be realized and provide ways reducing the negative effects of smoking.