By By ALZinfo.org, The Alzheimer's Information Site.

Feeling lonely may increase your risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new report. The study, from researchers at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine and other medical centers, found that older adults who reported feeling lonely have triple the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia than their less lonely peers.

The findings underscore the importance of social connection and stimulation in helping to keep the brain in good working form as we grow older. The findings are especially important in these difficult and socially isolating times, as the pandemic heads into its third year.

 “This study emphasizes the importance of loneliness and issues of social connection in addressing our risk of developing dementia as we age,” said the study’s lead investigator, Dr. Joel Salinas, a professor of neurology at NYU. “Acknowledging signs of loneliness in yourself and others, building and maintaining supportive relationships, providing much-needed support for the people in our lives who are feeling lonely — these are important for everyone. But they’re especially important as we age to increase the chances that we’ll delay or perhaps even prevent cognitive decline.”

For the study, researchers reviewed the medical records of…. read more