A neurologist explained the effect of loneliness on the memory of elderly Russians

Loneliness can negatively affect brain function and increase the risk of memory problems in the elderly due to chronic stress and cognitive decline. Artyom Bagautdinov, a neurologist and rehabilitologist at the Three Sisters Early Rehabilitation Clinic, told Izvestia on April 16.

"When a person is lonely, the body is in a state of chronic stress. Because of this, the level of the hormone cortisol increases, which harms the brain. The hippocampus is particularly vulnerable — an important part responsible for memory," he noted.

According to the expert, with prolonged stress, the formation of new neurons and their connections decreases, attention and learning ability deteriorate. An additional factor is the lack of social stimulation, which causes the brain to receive less cognitive load. The expert explained that single people often initially have a lower so—called cognitive reserve - the brain's ability to compensate for age-related changes.

"It depends on education and activity, and lonely people usually have a lower reserve due to less communication or depression. That is, they are already entering old age with a worse state of memory," the doctor said.

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He stressed that the aging of the brain itself is about the same for everyone, but loneliness makes it less resistant to age-related changes.

"Modern techniques like MRI or PET scan allow us to notice changes in the brain even before obvious problems appear. For example, an MRI scan may show a decrease in the volume of important structures or a decrease in activity. PET scans will help identify early signs of damage," the neurologist explained.

According to the expert, for prevention, it is important to maintain regular communication, cognitive activity and physical activity, as well as monitor the emotional state. Bagautdinov noted that participating in group activities and rehabilitation programs helps to simultaneously stimulate the brain and reduce stress levels.

On April 14, the journal Science Daily reported that loneliness in the elderly is associated with poorer memory, but it does not accelerate its decline over time. It was noted at the time that 10,217 adults aged 65 to 94 from 12 countries, including Germany, Spain, Sweden and Slovenia, participated in the large—scale European study. The observation lasted for seven years: from 2012 to 2019. The data was obtained as part of the long—term SHARE project, Surveys of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe, launched back in 2002.

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