New research indicates that being more social by visiting friends, going to parties, and attending church may contribute to better brain health.
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, suggests that engaging in social activities regularly could help prevent or postpone dementia as one ages.
“This research follows earlier findings from our team that showed a connection between social engagement and reduced cognitive decline in older individuals,” explained Bryan James, PhD, an associate professor of internal medicine at Rush.
“Our findings demonstrate that high levels of social activity are linked to a lower risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment, with those least active seeing symptoms of dementia appear about five years earlier than their more socially active counterparts.”
Participating in social activities can enhance the brain’s neural connections, making them more resilient against the negative effects of aging. These social engagements stimulate the same regions of the brain that are associated with thinking and memory.
The authors note that this research underscores the importance of social interactions as a potential community strategy for lowering the incidence of dementia.
The data indicates that increased social activity correlates with a 38% reduction in the risk of dementia and a 21% decrease in the risk of mild cognitive impairment when compared to those who are less socially active.
Moreover, delaying the onset of dementia by five years is estimated to provide an additional three years of life and significantly reduce dementia-related expenses by 40% over the next three decades, equating to about $500,000 in lifetime healthcare savings for each person who might eventually develop dementia.
The study involved 1,923 older adults free from dementia, with an average age of around 80, who participated in the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a long-term study focused on the common chronic conditions of aging.
A total of 545 participants were diagnosed with dementia, while 695 experienced mild cognitive impairment. They participated in annual assessments that included medical history inquiries and neuropsychological testing.
Social engagement was assessed through a questionnaire that inquired about the frequency of six common social activities over the previous year—such as dining out, attending sporting events, playing bingo, going on trips, volunteering, or visiting friends and family.
Cognitive abilities were evaluated using 21 different tests covering various memory types as well as perceptual speed and visual-spatial skills.
At the beginning of the study, all participants displayed no signs of cognitive issues. However, over the course of approximately five years, those who maintained higher social activity levels exhibited slower rates of dementia progression. The researchers controlled for other factors that could contribute to cognitive decline, like age, physical fitness, and overall health.
The reasons why social engagement influences cognitive health are still being explored. One theory suggests that “social activity encourages older adults to engage in intricate interpersonal interactions, which might help to sustain or enhance effective neural connectivity—a case of ‘use it or lose it,’” James remarked.
Further research is needed to explore whether activities aimed at boosting social engagement in later life could effectively delay or prevent cognitive deterioration, James added.
Other researchers from Rush involved in the study include Yi Chen, PhD, Francine Grodstein, ScD, Ana Capuano, PhD, Tianhao Wang, PhD, and David Bennett, MD.
