The loneliness of the elderly shrinks the soul, and more on these dates. It is known that the lack of social relationships among elderly people is one of the risk factors for developing dementia. Now, a new scientific study has identified, in addition to psychological factors, neurobiological mechanisms involved in the already demonstrated relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline in older adults. The conclusion is that the loneliness can induce physiological changes in the brain, reducing total gray matter in this vital organ. In other words, the loneliness of the elderly not only shrinks their soul, it shrinks their brain.
Little is known about the neurobiological and psychological conditions that Loneliness linked to cognitive decline. This work, published in the scientific journal ‘Brain, Behavior, and Immunity’, and carried out by scientists from the University of Southern California and Howard University (United States) investigated the effects of loneliness in 2,130 elderly people, who had a average age of 80 years. 73% were women, and 93% were Caucasian. Participants underwent annual cognitive and psychological evaluations and neuroimaging procedures each year. Autopsies were performed after death.
One of the aspects that was analyzed was the so-called brain-derived neurotrophic factor o BDNF (also known as BDNF), a protein that plays an important role in neuronal survival and growth and is involved in neuronal plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory. Abnormal levels of BDNF, particularly in an area of the brain called the hippocampus, are associated with cognitive decline. Inflammation levels were also measured, as systemic inflammation is a significant factor in cognitive decline.
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Furthermore, it has been shown that the depressive symptoms are a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Those who have them suffer from social deficits, so the relationship between depression and loneliness can be bidirectional: those who are depressed tend to have fewer social relationships, and those who are alone have a greater tendency to become depressed. The results showed that depressive symptoms and gray matter volume partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline.
The study adds to scientific evidence that higher levels of loneliness are associated with a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. “The consequences of loneliness go beyond the feeling of being isolated. “It can induce physiological changes in our brain, leading to cognitive deterioration,” recall the authors, who encourage more in-depth research into the multiple biological and psychological expressions of loneliness that can further clarify the relationship of this phenomenon with dementia. .
You can be alone surrounded by people
The authors of this American study, Sanaz Dabiri, Denée T. Mwendwa and Alfonso Campbell, emphasize that unwanted loneliness is characterized by feelings of anxiety regarding interpersonal relationships: It is perceived that the quantity or quality of these relationships does not satisfy the person’s needs. This differs from objective social isolation: “loneliness is the perception of social isolation when social opportunities exist but people lack the ability to connect socially”, the scientists emphasize. In other words, one can feel lonely while surrounded by people. In fact, one of the risk factors for loneliness is living in a nursing home. Others are the loss of loved ones, having a low socioeconomic level or being a woman.