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Loneliness leads to increased Alzheimer's risk |
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Saturday, 10 February 2007 |
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A large US study has found a link between loneliness and Alzheimer's, reporting that those who report loneliness are twice as likely to later develop Alzheimer's disease.
The findings are from 4-year US study which followed 800 elderly patiients and involved 90 autopsies to verify the existence of Alzheimer's. The results of the study establish a clear link between less social activity and higher risk for dementia, while ruling out the possibility that loneliness and social isolation may be a result of dementia. It is still unknown what role loneliness plays in the onset of Alzheimer's.
The study, led by Professor Robert Wilson, will be published in the Annals of General Psychiatry.
Read the original BBC News article. |
