Busy Social Life May Indicate Early Signs of Alzheimer’s, New Study Suggests

New Delhi – While social isolation has long been considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, a new study reveals a surprising twist: being more socially active might actually be an early indicator of the condition.

The research, which analyzed the social behavior and genetic data of 500,000 individuals in the UK with an average age of 56, was conducted by scientists from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Boston University.

Contrary to previous beliefs, the findings suggest that in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals may become more sociable instead of withdrawing. “At the earliest stage, Alzheimer’s doesn’t appear to reduce social engagement,” explained co-senior author Dr. Ashwin Kotwal of UCSF. “Their social interactions might even increase. It’s unclear whether this is because they are actively engaging more or because people around them are offering increased support after noticing subtle behavioral changes.”

Data from the UK Biobank revealed that people with a higher genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s reported feeling less isolated, participated in a broader range of social activities, and enjoyed more positive family relationships.

Interestingly, no significant differences were observed between high-risk and low-risk individuals when it came to feelings of loneliness, quality of friendships, or levels of emotional support.

Social connection is thought to help build "cognitive reserve" — the brain’s resilience to age-related or disease-related changes — which can delay the onset or reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

The researchers also noted several non-genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s, including physical inactivity, poorly managed diabetes and high blood pressure, poor sleep, depression, smoking, and certain medications. Experts estimate that around 30% of Alzheimer’s cases may be preventable by addressing these modifiable risks.

In related findings, a separate study published earlier this month highlighted that mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or mania emerging after the age of 40 could serve as early indicators of neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers from Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) reported that these late-life mood disorders (LLMDs) may precede motor or cognitive symptoms of dementia by several years. Their study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, examined abnormal tau protein buildup — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s and related diseases — in the brains of 52 participants with LLMDs compared to 47 healthy individuals.

With inputs from IANS