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Social isolation, cognitive reserve, and cognition in healthy older people

Author

Listed:
  • Isobel E M Evans
  • David J Llewellyn
  • Fiona E Matthews
  • Robert T Woods
  • Carol Brayne
  • Linda Clare
  • on behalf of the CFAS-Wales research team

Abstract

There is evidence to suggest that social isolation is associated with poor cognitive health, although findings are contradictory. One reason for inconsistency in reported findings may be a lack of consideration of underlying mechanisms that could influence this relationship. Cognitive reserve is a theoretical concept that may account for the role of social isolation and its association with cognitive outcomes in later life. Therefore, we aimed to examine the relationship between social isolation and cognition in later life, and to consider the role of cognitive reserve in this relationship. Baseline and two year follow-up data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study–Wales (CFAS-Wales) were analysed. Social isolation was assessed using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), cognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), and cognitive reserve was assessed using a proxy measure of education, occupational complexity, and cognitive activity. Linear regression modelling was used to assess the relationship between social isolation and cognition. To assess the role of cognitive reserve in this relationship, moderation analysis was used to test for interaction effects. After controlling for age, gender, education, and physically limiting health conditions, social isolation was associated with cognitive function at baseline and two year follow-up. Cognitive reserve moderated this association longitudinally. Findings suggest that maintaining a socially active lifestyle in later life may enhance cognitive reserve and benefit cognitive function. This has important implications for interventions that may target social isolation to improve cognitive function.

Suggested Citation

  • Isobel E M Evans & David J Llewellyn & Fiona E Matthews & Robert T Woods & Carol Brayne & Linda Clare & on behalf of the CFAS-Wales research team, 2018. "Social isolation, cognitive reserve, and cognition in healthy older people," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(8), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0201008
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201008
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    Cited by:

    1. Rachel L. Peterson & Kristen M. George & Duyen Tran & Pallavi Malladi & Paola Gilsanz & Amy J. H. Kind & Rachel A. Whitmer & Lilah M. Besser & Oanh L. Meyer, 2021. "Operationalizing Social Environments in Cognitive Aging and Dementia Research: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Fletcher, Jason & Topping, Michael & Zheng, Fengyi & Lu, Qiongshi, 2021. "The effects of education on cognition in older age: Evidence from genotyped Siblings," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    3. Kacie Seil & Shengchao Yu & Howard Alper, 2019. "A Cognitive Reserve and Social Support-Focused Latent Class Analysis to Predict Self-Reported Confusion or Memory Loss among Middle-Aged World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-12, April.
    4. José Cárdenas & María J. Blanca & Fernando Carvajal & Sandra Rubio & Carmen Pedraza, 2021. "Emotional Processing in Healthy Ageing, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Juri Yamazaki & Masashi Kizuki & Takeo Fujiwara, 2022. "Association between Frequency of Conversations and Suicidal Ideation among Medical Students during COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-9, May.

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