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January 2025 – Engaging in social activities, from visiting friends to attending parties or going to church, could play a crucial role in delaying dementia onset in older adults, according to new research conducted at Rush University Medical Center. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the study suggests that more frequent social interaction may not only prevent but also delay the development of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
The research, led by Dr. Bryan James, an associate professor of internal medicine at Rush, is a follow-up to previous studies highlighting the protective effects of social engagement on cognitive function. Dr. James explained, “In this study, we show that social activity is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The least socially active older adults developed dementia an average of five years earlier than their more socially engaged counterparts.”
The Power of Social Connections
Social activity strengthens neural circuits in the brain, potentially making them more resistant to the pathology that builds up with age. These behaviors activate areas of the brain tied to thinking, memory, and overall cognitive function, which could play a vital role in delaying cognitive decline.
The study’s findings underscore the importance of social engagement as a potential community-level intervention to combat dementia. The research indicates that older adults who participated more frequently in social activities experienced a 38% reduction in the risk of dementia and a 21% reduction in the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, compared to those with less social involvement.
A Five-Year Delay in Dementia Onset: Major Health and Economic Benefits
Delaying dementia by just five years could yield significant benefits, the study reveals. The delay is estimated to offer an additional three years of life and could reduce dementia-related healthcare costs by as much as 40% over the next 30 years, potentially saving $500,000 in lifetime healthcare expenses for each individual who would have otherwise developed dementia.
The Study in Detail
The study analyzed data from 1,923 dementia-free older adults, with an average age of 80, who were part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project—a longitudinal study focused on chronic conditions associated with aging. Over five years, 545 participants developed dementia, and 695 developed mild cognitive impairment. These individuals were assessed annually through medical history reviews and neuropsychological tests to evaluate cognitive function.
Social activity was gauged using a questionnaire that asked participants about their involvement in six common social activities during the previous year, such as visiting family, playing bingo, going to restaurants, or participating in volunteer work. Cognitive assessments included 21 tests measuring various memory types, perceptual speed, and visuospatial ability.
Why Does Social Activity Matter?
The exact mechanism behind why social activity helps protect cognitive health remains unclear. One theory, according to Dr. James, is that social interaction challenges older adults to engage in complex interpersonal exchanges, thus maintaining efficient neural networks. This may follow the “use it or lose it” principle, where stimulating brain activity helps preserve cognitive function.
Looking Ahead
While the findings are promising, Dr. James emphasizes that further research is needed to explore whether targeted interventions to increase social activity in late life could significantly delay or prevent cognitive decline.
For more information, visit Alzheimer’s & Dementia Journal or read the full study by Yi Chen et al, “Late-life social activity and subsequent risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment,” published in 2024.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on a study conducted by Rush University Medical Center and published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. The findings are not definitive, and individual risk factors for dementia vary. Please consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on cognitive health.
