Study finds that loneliness raises the risk of dementia by 31%.

 Study finds that loneliness raises the risk of dementia by 31%.

A new study reveals that persistent loneliness negatively impacts aging brains and significantly increases the risk of developing dementia.

 

The research analyzed self-reported loneliness and neurological health data from over 600,000 individuals worldwide. It found that loneliness is associated with a 31% increase in the likelihood of developing any form of dementia, as well as a 15% rise in cognitive impairment.

Dr. Páraic Ó Súilleabháin from the University of Limerick, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating that "loneliness is a critically important risk factor for future dementia development."

 

Published on October 9 in the journal Nature Mental Health, the study aligns with a 2023 report by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who labeled loneliness and isolation among Americans as an "epidemic." The adverse effects of loneliness on both physical and mental health are already well established.

 

Ó Súilleabháin, who directs the Personality, Individual Differences and Biobehavioral Health Laboratory, noted that loneliness is crucial for overall health, including longevity. He pointed out that it can lead to various forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

 

The study, led by Dr. Martina Luchetti from Florida State University, also highlights a potential silver lining: loneliness is a modifiable risk factor.

 

"Different types and sources of loneliness can influence cognitive symptoms throughout the dementia continuum," Luchetti explained. "By addressing loneliness and fostering a sense of connectedness, we could potentially protect cognitive health in later life."