Social Ties Prevent Alzheimer's

Ivanhoe Newswire
Tuesday, February 6, 2007; 12:00 AM

By Lucy Williams, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Meeting a friend for coffee or attending a social event could help you ward off Alzheimer's disease. Recent research links loneliness with an increased risk for the type of dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Previous research suggested a link between social isolation in old age with the development of dementia. Those with a small social network and few activities may be more likely to experience cognitive decline than people with more social engagements.

A new study reveals perceived isolation, or loneliness, also indicates risk for dementia.

"This is the first study to show the inward psychological perceptions of connectedness are independently related to risk for Alzheimer's disease," Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, told Ivanhoe. "The study seems to suggest having an active social life and being socially engaged in old age is likely to be good for your health."

Researchers studied the association between loneliness and Alzheimer's disease in 823 healthy senior citizens. Dementia and feelings of loneliness were evaluated once a year for up to four years in the study. Each year, participants evaluated their agreement with the following statements:

1. "I have a general sense of emptiness."
2. "I miss having people around."
3. "I feel like I don't have enough friends."
4. "I often feel abandoned."
5. "I miss having a really good friend."

Higher scores on a scale of one-to-five indicate greater perceived loneliness. Follow-up study results reveal individuals with scores indicating loneliness (3.2+) are about two-times more likely to develop dementia than those with low scores. Risk for Alzheimer's disease increased about 51 percent for each point on the loneliness score.

Ninety participants died during the study. Autopsy results did not reveal hallmark brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, like nerve plaques and tangles. This suggests loneliness may contribute to dementia risk through mechanisms unrelated to Alzheimer's pathology or cerebral infarction, Dr. Wilson said.