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Hans India
24-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
A busier social life may signal Alzheimer's risk, says study
New Delhi: While social isolation has long been known a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, a new study showed that being more sociable can be an early sign of the neurodegenerative disease. The study examined the social habits and genetic data of half a million people whose average age was 56. Researchers from the University of California San Francisco and Boston University found that Alzheimer's may make people more sociable rather than less - at least in the early stages. The study shows that at its earliest stage Alzheimer's doesn't make people less socially engaged. 'Their social lives may even expand,' said co-senior author Ashwin Kotwal, from USCF. 'We don't know for sure if they are engaging more with others, or if those around them are noticing subtle changes and giving them more support,' he added. The data from UK Biobank showed that people with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's reported less isolation, participation in a wider range of social activities and happier family relationships. No differences were found between higher-risk and lower-risk individuals in measuring loneliness, friendship quality and emotional support. Social connectedness is believed to delay or reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by promoting cognitive reserve, the brain's ability to maintain normal function despite aging or dementia. The research showed that other non-genetic factors influencing Alzheimer's are physical inactivity, uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure, poor sleep, depression, current smoking and certain medications. Experts believe that 30 per cent of Alzheimer's may be attributed to these modifiable risks. Another research earlier this month found that mood disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, or mania after the age of 40 may not be just mental health conditions but can precede motor or cognitive symptoms in various neurodegenerative diseases. Growing evidence suggests these late-life mood disorders (LLMDs) could be early warning signs of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, even when they appear years before memory loss or other cognitive symptoms become apparent, said researchers from the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Japan. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association explored the presence of abnormal tau protein - a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases - in the brains of 52 participants with LLMDs and 47 healthy controls.
Perth Now
19-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Busy social life during 50s can signify Alzheimer's disease
Old people socialising Credit: BANG - Entertainment News BANG - Entertainment News Bang Showbiz A busy social life in your 50s could be an indicator of Alzheimer's disease. A massive study of almost half a million Brits aged 40 and older found that people with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's tended to report two per cent more social activity and three per cent less isolation in their 50s. Dr. Ashwin Kotwal, lead researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), said: "We don't know if they're chasing more chatter or if others are rallying around them. Their social lives may expand in these early stages." Traditional wisdom suggests friendships and family time protect brain health by boosting "cognitive reserve". But this study highlights a reversal to the trend and suggests that alarm bells should ring if a person's schedule becomes jam packed for no obvious reason.
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Having a busy social life in your 50s could actually be an early sign of Alzheimer's, scientists warn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOR years, scientists and doctors alike have been telling us staying social keeps Alzheimer's at bay. But a surprising new US study suggests the opposite might be true, at least in the early stages. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A bustling social life in your 50s might be an early warning of Alzheimer's Credit: Getty 'Their social lives may even expand,' said co-senior author, Dr Ashwin Kotwal from the University of California, said. "We don't know for sure if they are engaging more with others, or if those around them are noticing subtle changes and giving them more support.' The study, published this month in the American Journal of Epidemiology, analysed data from almost 500,000 Brits aged 40 and over, collected by the UK Biobank. It was an observational study, meaning researchers didn't track outcomes over time, but looked for associations in the data. Researchers calculated each person's genetic risk for Alzheimer's and compared it with their levels of social connectedness. These scores, known as Alzheimer's Disease Genetic Risk Scores (AD-GRS), reflect a person's inherited likelihood of developing the condition, based on known genes. But they don't guarantee someone will get the disease. They then looked at how often people felt lonely or isolated, how satisfied they were with their relationships, and how many different social activities they took part in. Previous studies have linked lower levels of social interaction with reduced brain volume and a higher risk of dementia. But in this new analysis, those with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's were three per cent less likely to feel socially isolated. They also reported one per cent higher satisfaction with their family relationships and took part in around two per cent more types of social activity compared to people with a lower genetic risk. Wife of man with early-onset dementia has to 'hide knives' However, there was no difference between the two groups when it came to how lonely they felt, the quality of their friendships, or how much emotional support they received. In the UK, around 982,000 people are currently living with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. That figure is expected to hit 1.4 million by 2040. There is no cure, so spotting the condition early is crucial. An early diagnosis can help slow progression, ease symptoms, and open up access to clinical trials. According to the Alzheimer's Association, one of the first warning signs is social withdrawal. Other symptoms include asking the same questions repeatedly, losing track of important dates, and increasingly relying on memory aids or loved ones for tasks once managed alone.
