Being lonely during middle age may increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s later, the study warns
- The scientists examined data from “normal” cognitive adults in the United States
- Those who were lonely between the ages of 45 and 64 were more likely to develop dementia
- However, people who were only temporarily temporarily at lower risk
- Although the reason for the findings is still unclear, researchers hope their research will help tailor interventions to prevent loneliness.
A new study has found that being lonely during middle age can increase your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s later on.
The researchers studied older people in the United States to understand if they felt persistent loneliness between the ages of 45 and 64.
Their analyzes revealed that those who felt lonely in middle age were more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s.
However, people who recovered from loneliness appear to be less likely to suffer from dementia than those who were never alone.
Although the reason for the findings is still unclear, researchers hope their research will help tailor interventions to avoid loneliness.
A new study has found that being lonely during middle age can increase your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s later on.
Currently, loneliness does not appear as a clinical disease, although research has shown that it is related to several negative health outcomes, including sleep problems, depression, and even stroke.
In the study, researchers at Boston University set out to understand whether loneliness could also affect people’s risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The team examined cognitively “normal” adult data from the Framingham Heart Study, which has been recruiting participants since 1948.
Specifically, the team investigated whether persistent loneliness more strongly predicted future development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than transient loneliness.
Several other factors were also taken into account, such as age, gender, education, social media, single life, physical health, and genetic risk.
The findings revealed that people who were persistently lonely had a higher risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease 18 years later.
However, people who were only alone for a short period of time had a lower risk of developing any of the conditions.
Dr. Wendy Qiu, a professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at Boston University and author of the study, explained: “While persistent loneliness is a threat to brain health, psychological resistance after experiences of Adverse life may explain why transient loneliness is protective in the context of the onset of dementia. “
Researchers hope the findings raise hopes for people who may suffer loneliness amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but believe they could overcome that feeling when the blockade is blocked.
Although the reason for the findings is still unclear, they are of concern to the millions of Britons who admit to being alone.
Researchers hope the findings raise hopes for people who may suffer from loneliness amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but believe they could overcome that feeling when the blockade is reduced (stock image)
In 2018, a report from Ege UK found that the number of people over the age of 50 suffering from loneliness will reach two million in 2025/6.
This compares to about 1.4 million in 2016/7, 49% more in ten years.
Age UK charity Caroline Abrahams said: “Our population is aging quite rapidly and so we are going to have two million lonely people over the age of 50 in less than a decade, with serious consequences for their physical and mental health, and therefore for the NHS, unless we take action now ”.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLING DISEASE THAT STOLE THE PATITS FROM THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is a general term used to describe a number of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is a general term used to describe a series of progressive neurological disorders (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking, and behavior.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of dementia types.
Regardless of what type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern, but is seen more often in richer countries, where people are likely to live into old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports that today there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, of whom more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will increase to over one million.
In the United States, an estimated 5.5 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of developing dementia.
Diagnosis rates are improving, but it is believed that many people with dementia are not yet diagnosed.
IS THERE CARE?
There is currently no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow their progression and the sooner they are detected, the more effective the treatments will be.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society