Social isolation linked to lower brain volume

A study in Neurology suggests that limited social contact in older people may increase the risk of brain shrinkage and damage in dementia-affected areas. However, the study does not prove causation. It highlights the concern of social isolation among seniors and proposes that supporting social connections could potentially prevent brain atrophy and dementia. The research involved nearly 9,000 participants, revealing lower brain volume and memory-related area volume in those with the least social contact. Factors like age, diabetes, smoking, and exercise were considered, and socially isolated individuals had more white matter lesions. Symptoms of depression partly explained the relationship. Prior studies indicate that exposure to socially stimulating groups might reverse brain volume and cognitive declines in older people. Notably, this study focused on older Japanese individuals, so generalization to other populations requires further research.