Social isolation reduces brain volume

According to a new study conducted by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania (USA), people who have little social contact in old age may lose more brain volume than those who continue to lead an active social life. The research paper is published in the journal Neurology.

"Social isolation is a growing problem for older adults," said study author Toshiharu Ninomiya. - The results of this study suggest that supporting people to help them establish and maintain connections with others may be helpful in preventing brain atrophy and the development of dementia."

Experts analyzed data from 8,896 people whose average age was 73. All participants had not been diagnosed with dementia at the time they began follow-up. They underwent brain MRI scans and the patients themselves underwent a physical examination. A survey was conducted among them to determine the level of social activity.

It turned out that people who had little social contact had significantly lower brain volume - both overall (the sum of white and gray matter) and in areas associated with dementia (hippocampus and amygdala) - than those who were socially engaged.

After accounting for factors that could have influenced the study's results, the researchers found that symptoms of depression partially explained the relationship between social isolation and brain volume. However, these symptoms accounted for only 15% to 29% of the association.

"While this study does not directly prove that social isolation causes brain atrophy, some work has shown that exposing older adults to socially stimulating groups halted or even reversed the decline in brain volume and improved thinking and memory skills. So interventions to improve social isolation may prevent brain volume loss and often subsequent dementia," Ninomiya said.