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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Loneliness and Risk of Dementia
Angelina R Sutin1, Yannick Stephan2, Martina Luchetti1
1Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee.
Objective:
The present study tests whether loneliness is associated with risk of dementia in the largest sample to date and further examines whether the association is independent of social isolation, a related but independent component of social integration, and whether it varies by demographic factors and genetic vulnerability.
Method:
Participants from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 12,030) reported on their loneliness, social isolation, and had information on clinical, behavioral, and genetic risk factors. Cognitive status was assessed at baseline and every 2 years over a 10-year follow-up with the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICSm). A TICSm score of 6 or less was indicative of dementia.
Results:
Cox proportional hazards regression indicated that loneliness was associated with a 40% increased risk of dementia. This association held controlling for social isolation, and clinical, behavioral, and genetic risk factors. The association was similar across gender, race, ethnicity, education, and genetic risk.
Discussion:
Loneliness is associated with increased risk of dementia. It is one modifiable factor that can be intervened on to reduce dementia risk.
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