[Prevention Methods for Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Dementia]

Social isolation is reported to be a risk factor for dementia. In addition to loneliness, it is related to other dementia risk factors, such as hearing and visual loss, and depression. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic exacerbated social isolation and loneliness. Recent studies on social isolation and loneliness have reported their neuropathological and basic medical effects on brain function and gene expression. This overview describes the influences of social isolation and loneliness on dementia and its prevention.