There is a saying that it is better to be alone than in bad company. However, a study by a team of British researchers shows that social isolation can lead to changes in brain structure and increase the risk of dementia.
Older people are the most affected by social isolation
Social isolation changes the structure of our brainaccording to a study published in the journal Neurology.
Let us first note that social isolation is different from solitude. Indeed, this phenomenon is characterized by a lack or absence of contact with others, while loneliness is rather a feeling that one can feel even when surrounded by people. Those most affected by social isolation are the elderly in particular.
Thus, researchers at the University of Cambridge analyzed data from 462,619 people aged 57 on average. Participants lived alone, had very limited social interactions, and rarely participated in social activities. In addition, they also analyzed brain imaging data from 32,263 people aged 63 on average.
The risk of dementia is increased tenfold
According to the results of the study, people who are socially isolated have lower cognitive abilities – less memory and less reaction time – and a lower volume of gray matter in many parts of the brain, including the temporal region, frontal lobe, and hippocampus.
Scientists have also found that people suffering from social isolation have a risk of dementia 26% higher after some years. In addition, the decrease in the volume of gray matter would also be linked to a decrease in the activation of certain genes preventing the symptoms of the disease fromAlzheimer.
Barbara Sahakian, co-author of the study, hopes that the authorities and those around them will take this research into account to improve the situation of the elderly. ” Now that we know the risk of social isolation for brain health and dementia, it is important that government and communities take steps to ensure that older people communicate and interact with others on a regular basis. “, she said.