In a study published Nov. 2 in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers found that healthy seniors who had elevated amyloid in the cortex on imaging were 7.5 times more likely than not to have feelings of loneliness.
The association held even after the researchers adjusted for social activity levels and for the presence of depression and/or anxiety.
The researchers suggest the finding may lead to the addition of loneliness as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
“People who are starting to accumulate amyloid may not be as well-functioning in terms of perceiving, understanding or responding to social stimuli or interactions,” geriatric psychiatrist Nancy Donovan, MD, of Harvard tells Healthday. “This could be an early social signal of cognitive change.”
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Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.