Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA new study indicates that people who lacked close friendships or experienced loneliness before the age of 17 are more prone to developing dementia in later life. Professor Andrea Wigfield from Sheffield Hallam University said that this finding is consistent with known links between adult loneliness and cognitive decline.The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, defined childhood loneliness as frequent self-reported absence of friendships. Current trends show that nearly half of Gen Z in the UK report feelings of loneliness, with young adults aged 18-24 being particularly affected.Experts suggest that public health initiatives to prevent and reduce loneliness should begin in early life to address its long-term impact on cognitive health.In fullChildhood loneliness increases risk of dementia, study findsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Study confirms links between loneliness and cognitive decline
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA new study indicates that people who lacked close friendships or experienced loneliness before the age of 17 are more prone to developing dementia in later life. Professor Andrea Wigfield from Sheffield Hallam University said that this finding is consistent with known links between adult loneliness and cognitive decline.The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, defined childhood loneliness as frequent self-reported absence of friendships. Current trends show that nearly half of Gen Z in the UK report feelings of loneliness, with young adults aged 18-24 being particularly affected.Experts suggest that public health initiatives to prevent and reduce loneliness should begin in early life to address its long-term impact on cognitive health.In fullChildhood loneliness increases risk of dementia, study findsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
