In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow Was This Study Conducted & What Did It Find?How Does This Apply to Real Life?
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In This Article
How Was This Study Conducted & What Did It Find?
How Does This Apply to Real Life?
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Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Getty Images. EatingWell design.
It’s important to understand that the changes in the brain that lead to dementia begin decades beforesymptomsshow up. And there are manythings you can do to help prevent dementia.
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For example, theMIND diet, a fusion of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, is loaded with foods to help keep your brain young and sharp. And there is evidence thatregular physical activityhelps reduce your risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia. Notgetting enough quality sleepcan also increase your risk of dementia.
All of these habits also influence factors that can raise dementia risk, likehigh blood pressure,high cholesterolanddiabetes.
This study was a meta-analysis, which reviews studies previously done on the topic of loneliness and dementia. The researchers looked for certain criteria, so not all studies on loneliness and dementia were included. In this case, they examined ongoing, long-term studies on aging that assess loneliness and cognition over time, as well as previously published studies.
The studies that made the cut for this meta-analysis focused on the association between loneliness and all-cause dementia, as well as the risk for two specific types of dementia—Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. They also examined the association between loneliness and cognitive impairment that’s not dementia or non-specific impairments in one or more cognitive functions—thinking, memory and reasoning—that may precede dementia.
According to the researchers, this resulted in the largest meta-analysis on the association between loneliness and dementia that’s been done to date. In the end, 21 studies were included, adding up to over 600,000 participants.
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“These results are not surprising given the mounting evidence that links loneliness to poor health,” says lead study author Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., in amedia release.
Luchetti explains that dementia is a spectrum, meaning that there is a range of levels and types of dementia. And the neuropathological changes in the brain start decades before symptoms show up.
“It’s important to continue studying the link of loneliness with different cognitive outcomes or symptoms across this spectrum,” says Luchetti. “Loneliness—the dissatisfaction with social relationships—may impact how you are functioning cognitively and in daily life.”
It’s also important to understand what loneliness is. It’s not the same as being alone. Some people enjoy their alone time and don’t feel lonely. On the other hand, you can be in a house or room filled with people and feel lonely. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines loneliness as feeling like you don’t have meaningful or close relationships or a sense of belonging.And having a sense of belonging is a basic human need.
According to the National Institute on Aging, there are certain risk factors for loneliness.These include things like vision, hearing and mobility problems; lack of transportation; living alone; death of a loved one or retirement; caring for a loved one who is unwell; and language barriers.
If you are feeling lonely, there are things you can do to help yourself.
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If you’re not lonely but know of someone who is, reach out to them regularly. While we all get busy and think we can’t possibly fit in one more thing, try to schedule a regular phone call, video chat or in-person visit with that person. It might be the motivation they need to do more for themselves.
The Bottom Line
This meta-analysis found that loneliness is associated with a 31% increase in dementia. One of the best things you can do to prevent loneliness is to nurture strong, healthy relationships. If you feel you don’t have that in your life already, find ways to make connections. And if you know someone who appears to be lonely, reach out to them—you just might play a role in helping to keep their brain healthy and helping them feel loved.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.Luchetti M, Aschwanden D, Sesker A, et al.A meta-analysis of loneliness and risk of dementia using longitudinal data from >600,000 individuals.Nature Mental Health.2024. doi: 10.1038/s44220-024-00328-9Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Loneliness.National Institutes of Health. National Institute on Aging.Loneliness and social isolation—tips for staying connected.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.Luchetti M, Aschwanden D, Sesker A, et al.A meta-analysis of loneliness and risk of dementia using longitudinal data from >600,000 individuals.Nature Mental Health.2024. doi: 10.1038/s44220-024-00328-9Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Loneliness.National Institutes of Health. National Institute on Aging.Loneliness and social isolation—tips for staying connected.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.Luchetti M, Aschwanden D, Sesker A, et al.A meta-analysis of loneliness and risk of dementia using longitudinal data from >600,000 individuals.Nature Mental Health.2024. doi: 10.1038/s44220-024-00328-9Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Loneliness.National Institutes of Health. National Institute on Aging.Loneliness and social isolation—tips for staying connected.
National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Dementias.
Luchetti M, Aschwanden D, Sesker A, et al.A meta-analysis of loneliness and risk of dementia using longitudinal data from >600,000 individuals.Nature Mental Health.2024. doi: 10.1038/s44220-024-00328-9
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Loneliness.
National Institutes of Health. National Institute on Aging.Loneliness and social isolation—tips for staying connected.
