2022 Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship to Promote Diversity (AARF-D)

Social Network, Loneliness, and Cognitive Decline in Diverse Older Adults

How do feelings of social connection or social isolation impact cognitive decline in Black and white older adults?

Ji Hyun Lee, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI - United States

Background

Research suggests that having a strong social support system, or social network, may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline in aging. Studies have linked certain social network characteristics (including being married, having a larger social network size, and frequently engaging with friends) with maintaining cognitive function during aging. The psychological and biological mechanisms through which these factors protect cognition are not well understood; however, loneliness, an indicator of potential social isolation, may play a role. While some studies suggest that loneliness itself is a risk factor for cognitive decline, less is known about how loneliness may be shaped by specific social network characteristics. In addition, very little is known about how social network factors may impact cognitive health differently across race or ethnicity. 

According to the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report, older Black/African American individuals are twice as likely to develop dementia as older white individuals. Studying the associations between specific social network factors and loneliness in both older Black/African American and white adults is needed to better understand potential commonalities and differences.

Research Plan

Dr. Ji Hyun Lee and colleagues will study the associations between social network factors (e.g., marital status, living arrangement, social network size and composition, and social support), loneliness, and cognitive functioning across Black and white older adults. The researchers will use data from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (MCAP), an ongoing study of diverse, cognitively unimpaired older adults from southeast Michigan. At the start of the study, the participants completed a series of assessments to understand the connection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors, which Dr. Lee and colleagues will use to identify links between social network factors, loneliness, and cognitive functioning. The researchers will also conduct follow-up assessments two years after the start of the study to study the role of loneliness in cognitive decline, as well as identify which specific social network characteristics are most strongly related to loneliness.

Impact

The results of this work could improve our understanding of the impact that loneliness may have on the risk for Alzheimer’s, and whether the underlying mechanisms differ between populations. These findings could lay the foundation for the development of interventions focused on increasing social engagement in those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.