31% Higher Risk Of Dementia Linked To Common Condition
A recent study has revealed that persistent loneliness can adversely affect aging brains and significantly increase the likelihood of developing dementia. Funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging, the research analyzed self-reported feelings of loneliness and neurological health among over 600,000 individuals globally.
The findings indicated that loneliness is associated with a 31% increase in the risk of developing various forms of dementia and a 15% increase in cognitive impairment. Dr. Páraic Ó Súilleabháin from the University of Limerick, a co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of these results, labeling loneliness as a crucial risk factor for future dementia development. The study was published on October 9 in Nature Mental Health.
In a report released in 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy described loneliness and isolation among Americans as an “epidemic,” underscoring the well-documented effects of loneliness on both physical and mental health. Dr. Ó Súilleabháin noted that their research highlights the critical role of loneliness in overall health, including longevity, and its link to cognitive health issues like dementia, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, led by Dr. Martina Luchetti from Florida State University’s College of Medicine in Tallahassee, offers a glimmer of hope. She pointed out that loneliness is a modifiable risk factor. “There are various types and sources of loneliness that can influence cognitive symptoms throughout the dementia spectrum,” Luchetti explained. By addressing loneliness and fostering a sense of connection, it may be possible to protect cognitive health in older adults.
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