Childhood Loneliness Linked to Substantially Higher Dementia Risk, new Research Shows
Jakarta, Indonesia – Prolonged feelings of loneliness during childhood may dramatically increase an individual’s risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, later in life, according to emerging research. Studies indicate that individuals who experience chronic loneliness in their youth face up to a 31 percent higher risk of dementia compared to those who don’t, a figure that surpasses the impact of many traditionally recognized dementia risk factors.
The findings underscore the critical role of social and emotional wellbeing in long-term neurological health. Researchers hypothesize that sustained loneliness triggers a chronic stress response in the brain, leading to a cascade of biological changes that can impair cognitive function over decades. This positions loneliness not merely as an emotional concern, but as a significant physical and brain health risk factor comparable to conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
The mechanisms linking childhood isolation to cognitive decline are multifaceted.Prolonged stress elevates cortisol levels, causing systemic inflammation – including within the brain – which damages neurons and hinders the formation of new neural connections. Moreover, chronic stress can physically alter brain structure, especially in areas vital for memory and emotional processing, such as the hippocampus.
Early social isolation also inhibits the advancement of “cognitive suggestion,” the brain’s strengthening through active and meaningful interactions. Without this early cognitive “exercise,” the brain may become more vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases in later life.
Experts emphasize that fostering strong social supports for children represents a crucial long-term investment in their future cognitive health.
(Source: geriatri.co.id, bloombergtechnoz.com, voi.id)
