US EditionFeeling Lonely Impacts Memory without Accelerating Mental Decline
Researchers found lonely participants scored worse on memory tests at the start, but their decline over seven years was similar to others.
- A major study published in the journal Aging & Mental Health found that loneliness impacts initial memory but does not accelerate the rate of cognitive decline over time in older adults.
- Researchers tracked 10,217 adults aged 65 to 94 across 12 European countries over seven years, using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to assess cognitive performance.
- Although 8 per cent of participants reported high loneliness and performed worse on memory tests initially, their cognitive recall declined at the same rate as those with lower loneliness levels.
- Lead author Dr. Luis Carlos Venegas-Sanabria from the Universidad del Rosario called the finding "a surprising outcome," suggesting loneliness influences initial memory states more significantly than progressive decline.
- Experts now suggest routine loneliness screenings should become part of cognitive health assessments, as addressing social isolation remains key to potentially reducing dementia risks globally.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Loneliness affects memory in older adults but does not accelerate brain decline, finds study
Loneliness affects the memory of older adults but does not speed up mental decline over time, suggests data from a major European study tracking more than 10,000 people over seven years. Participants...
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New research discovers loneliness hurts memory in older adults
A study of found loneliness is linked to worse memory in older adults but does not accelerate cognitive decline over time.
Lonely people have worse memory but don’t decline faster, study finds
Loneliness may quietly affect how well older adults remember things—but it might not be speeding up mental decline after all. A large European study tracking over 10,000 people for seven years found that those who felt lonelier started off with weaker memory, yet their memory didn’t deteriorate any faster than those who felt more socially connected. The findings challenge the idea that loneliness directly accelerates cognitive decline or dementi…
Loneliness is considered a risk factor for dementia. However, a large long-term study shows that memory does not degrade faster in people who feel alone.
More than 10,000 people were examined over the years.
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