Potential connections between social engagement and dementia risk: an exploration
A groundbreaking study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, has revealed that social engagement in middle-aged individuals who carry a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease may play a crucial role in protecting brain health[1].
The research, led by Dr Scott Zimmerman, a senior research fellow of epidemiology at Boston University’s School of Public Health, and co-senior author Dr Ashwin Kotwal, an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, analysed data from nearly 500,000 UK adults aged 40 and above[2].
Contrary to previous assumptions that early Alzheimer’s causes social isolation, the study found that those with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s were more likely to report active social lives and strong family relationships instead of social withdrawal[1][3]. This suggests that middle-aged adults in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may actually become more sociable, potentially seeking closer bonds with family and friends to gain daily support amidst subtle early cognitive changes[1][3].
The researchers also noted that increased social engagement occurs years before any formal diagnosis[1][3]. Dr Ruijia Chen, a Postdoctoral Associate of epidemiology at Boston University’s School of Public Health and co-lead author of the study, explained that this finding challenges the belief that the link between social isolation and dementia risk shown in other studies is entirely due to early disease symptoms causing people to withdraw[2].
The study's findings have significant implications for brain health. Social interaction supports myelin integrity and neuronal plasticity, key brain structures involved in communication between neurons and proper neural circuit function crucial for social behavior[2]. Experimental studies in mice have shown that social isolation disrupts myelination and neural plasticity, contributing to cognitive decline[2].
Therefore, preventing social isolation and promoting social engagement could protect brain integrity and cognitive functions in Alzheimer’s patients[2]. Dr Jacqueline Torres, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities for healthy social engagement across the life course[2].
The study also identifies modifiable factors that influence the development of Alzheimer's disease, including exercise habits, smoking status, blood pressure, blood sugars, sleep routine, mental health, and medications[2]. These modifiable factors may account for around 30% of Alzheimer's disease[2].
Dr Ashwin Kotwal co-leads the Social Connections and Aging lab at UCSF, focusing on the health effects of loneliness and social isolation among older adults[2]. Despite the study's findings, it does not clarify whether loneliness is a risk factor for Alzheimer's or whether social withdrawal is a consequence of the disease[2].
In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence that social engagement in at-risk middle-aged adults might serve a protective role by delaying social withdrawal and promoting brain health[2]. This highlights the importance of social relationships in Alzheimer’s disease prevention and management.
[1] Chen, R., Zimmerman, S. C., Kotwal, A., Torres, J. M., & Kapogiannis, M. (2023). Social Engagement in the Context of Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. American Journal of Epidemiology. [2] American Journal of Epidemiology. (2023). Social Engagement in the Context of Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwac077 [3] Boston University School of Public Health. (2023). Study Finds Middle-Aged Individuals with Higher Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease More Likely to Report Active Social Lives. Retrieved from https://www.bu.edu/sph/2023/02/16/study-finds-middle-aged-individuals-with-higher-genetic-risk-for-alzheimers-disease-more-likely-to-report-active-social-lives/
- The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggests that social engagement might play a protective role for individuals at a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.
- Dr Scott Zimmerman, a senior research fellow, and Dr Ashwin Kotwal, an Assistant Professor of Medicine, led the research that found those with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's were more likely to report active social lives.
- The study's results challenge the belief that early Alzheimer’s causes social isolation, instead suggesting that middle-aged adults in the early stages of the disease may become more sociable.
- The increased social engagement years before any formal diagnosis could protect brain integrity and cognitive functions in Alzheimer’s patients.
- In addition to social engagement, the study identifies modifiable factors such as exercise habits, smoking status, blood pressure, blood sugars, sleep routine, mental health, and medications that may account for around 30% of Alzheimer's disease.
- The study's findings have significant implications for future health and wellness, fitness and exercise, mental health, and medicine, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for healthy social engagement across the life course to promote brain health and Alzheimer’s disease prevention and management.
