Living Alone Increases Odds of Developing Dementia
(HealthDay News) -- Middle-aged adults who live alone are twice as likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer's disease later in life compared to those who are married or live with a partner. And the risk is three times higher among those who are divorced or widowed, according to a new study by Swedish and Finnish researchers.
The study included 2,000 men and women in Finland who were initially surveyed when they were about 50 years old and again 21 years later.
In addition to looking at the association between marital status and dementia, the researchers also examined the link between living alone and being a carrier of the apolipoprotein E e4 gene variant, a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
The study found the highest risk of developing Alzheimer's disease among people with the gene variant who live alone after losing their partner.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence that shows that social factors play an important role in brain health, and indicate that "supportive intervention for individuals who have lost a partner might be a promising strategy in preventive health care," according to Dr. Miia Kivipelto, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and colleagues.
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This is an important study, and is proof that social isolation is very detrimental to the health.
Anna Portela