🧠 Loneliness As a Risk Factor for Dementia

Feeling Lonely Could Increase Your Dementia Risk 
A massive study finds that loneliness – the feeling disconnected from others – may significantly raise chances of developing dementia, even if one is otherwise healthy.

Published In: International Psychogeriatrics
Date: June 2023
Authors: Na et al.
Link to Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610224030667

Summary

This commentary discusses a major study analyzing data from over 492,000 individuals in the UK Biobank over 15 years. The study found that people who reported feeling lonely had a 45% higher risk of developing dementia. Importantly, this link remained even after accounting for other factors like age, depression, physical activity, and genetic risk. The findings suggest loneliness is a powerful, modifiable risk factor for dementia.

Key Takeaways

✅ Loneliness increased risk of all-cause dementia by 45%.
✅ Specific risks included a 30% increase for Alzheimer’s and 57% for vascular dementia.
✅ These effects were stronger in people without the APOE ε4 gene, a known dementia risk factor.
✅ Even a simple “yes/no” question about loneliness effectively predicted dementia risk.
✅ Social support and connection may slow cognitive decline and protect brain health.

Why It Matters for You

If you’re feeling persistently lonely, it could be more than just an emotional burden, it may also affect your brain health. Building and maintaining social connections is an important component when it comes to reducing dementia risk.

Citation

Na, P. J., Lim, Y. Y., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2023). Loneliness as a risk factor for dementia and other adverse health outcomes. International Psychogeriatrics, 35(6), 271–274. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610224030667