Childhood loneliness may increase dementia risk later in life

Researchers says childhood loneliness is associated with faster cognitive decline and higher risk of incident dementia in middle and later adulthood. Photo: Freepik

Parents who worry about a child who struggles to make friends, has difficulty communicating, or appears too fond of their own company have good reason to be concerned – not just because of early-life isolation.

A team of doctors based in Australia, China and the United States has found evidence that the effects of early-life loneliness are not limited to childhood, with the worst impact possibly occurring long after the parents have died.