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MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News)<\/p>\n
Older adults who get together with friends, volunteer or go to classes have healthier brains, which could help them ward off dementia<\/a>, according to a new study.<\/p>\n Researchers who used brain imaging to examine brain areas involved in mental decline found that greater social engagement made a difference in brain health.<\/p>\n Being socially engaged — even moderately — with at least one relative or friend activates parts of the brain needed to recognize familiar faces and emotions, make decisions and feel rewarded, the study found.<\/p>\n “We need to do more research on the details, but that’s the beauty<\/a> of this — social engagement costs hardly anything, and we do not have to worry about side effects,” said lead author Dr. Cynthia Felix, a geriatrician and postdoctoral associate at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.<\/p>\n “There is no cure for dementia<\/a>, which has tremendous costs in terms of treatment and caregiving<\/a>. Preventing dementia<\/a>, therefore, has to be the focus. It’s the ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy when it comes to the brain,” she said in a university news release.<\/p>\n The researchers drew on information from nearly 300 community-dwelling seniors (average age: 83) who had a sensitive brain scan to gauge the integrity of brain cells used for social engagement.<\/p>\n Once brain cells die, dementia<\/a> typically follows. Researchers said it’s not yet clear whether social engagement keeps brains healthy or if having a healthy brain leads to more socializing.<\/p>\n Either way, the findings suggest that “prescribing” socialization could benefit older adults’ brain health — similar to the way prescribing physical activity can help prevent diabetes<\/a> or heart disease<\/a>. Existing programs that provide group physical activities would be a good starting point, Felix said.<\/p>\n “Our data were collected before the COVID-19<\/a> pandemic, but I believe our findings are particularly important right now, since a one-size-fits-all social isolation<\/a> of all older adults may place them at risk for conditions such as dementia<\/a>,” she said.<\/p>\n “Older adults should know it is important for their brain health that they still seek out social engagement in safe and balanced ways during the pandemic,” Felix advised.<\/p>\n The findings were reported Oct. 19 in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences.<\/i><\/p>\n — Cara Roberts Murez<\/p>\n ![\"MedicalNews\"](\"https:\/\/images.medicinenet.com\/images\/HealthDay\/healthday.png\")
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