Massive Study by FSU Researchers Confirms That Loneliness Increases Risk of Dementia

A study by Florida State University (FSU) researchers published in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences determined loneliness can elevate the risk of dementia by 40 percent, reports FSU News . Analysis of 12,000 participants collected over a decade concluded with 1,104 people developing dementia, with those noting greater feelings of loneliness more likely to develop dementia over the next decade. Lonely people are likely to have several risk factors for dementia, such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression, while also being less likely to be physically active and more likely to smoke. Among the ways that loneliness may heighten dementia risk is a physiological reaction, such as through higher inflammation, or via behavior. People may deal with loneliness with brain-damaging habits like heavy drinking or being sedentary. A lack of meaningful social interaction also can be a risk factor, and keeping the mind engaged meaningfully can promote cognitive health that provides the motivation and structure to help sustain cognitive functioning. "Loneliness is a modifiable risk factor," notes FSU's Angelina Sutin. "Most people might describe periods where they felt lonely and then periods where they didn't feel lonely. So just because you feel lonely now, you don't always have to feel this way."