Recent research out of the Rush University Alzheimer’s Disease center seems to indicate that loneliness- in the form of emotional isolation- appears to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

As per the news release from Rush:

According to Wilson, loneliness is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, not an early sign of the disease. Autopsies were performed on 90 individuals who died during the study. Loneliness during life was not related to any of the hallmark brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, including nerve plaques and tangles, or tissue damaged by lack of blood flow.

The article was published in the February issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. 2007;64:234-240.

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