There’s New Evidence for How Loneliness Affects Memory in Old Age

Neuroscientists know that there is a link between loneliness and cognitive decline in older adults, although it is still difficult to understand the exact magnitude of the link. A new longitudinal study provides evidence that a proportion of people who feel lonely end up having more memory impairment, though this doesn’t necessarily mean that their brains age faster.

The report, published in Aging & Mental Health, shows that older adults with higher levels of loneliness scored lower on tests of immediate and delayed recall. Even so, the rate at which their memory declined over six years was virtually identical to those who were not lonely.

“It suggests

→ Continue reading at Wired - Science

More from author

Related posts

Advertisment

Latest posts

Increasing heat can boost malnutrition among children

Climate change may be worsening nutritional problems for already vulnerable children. An analysis of data from about 6.5 million young children in Brazil shows...

This kea parrot is the first-known disabled alpha male

A parrot missing half his beak is top bird at New Zealand’s Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. The parrot, named Bruce, wins every fight with other...

FBI director Kash Patel files $250M defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic

FBI director Kash Patel has sued The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick over a story that alleged Patel has “alarmed colleagues with episodes...