New Delhi: A new study has revealed a surprising insight into the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. While social isolation has long been considered a risk factor for the condition, this research suggests that an increase in sociability may be an early indicator of the disease’s onset.
Conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, and Boston University, the study analysed genetic data and social behaviour of over 500,000 individuals from the UK Biobank, with an average age of 56. The findings challenge the common belief that Alzheimer’s leads to social withdrawal in its early stages.
Instead, people with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s reported stronger social engagement, greater involvement in various activities, and improved family relationships. Interestingly, these individuals did not report higher levels of loneliness or reduced emotional support when compared to those at lower genetic risk.
Co-senior author Dr. Ashwin Kotwal noted that individuals at risk of Alzheimer’s might appear more socially active in the early stages. “Their social lives may even expand,” he said. “It’s unclear whether they are consciously engaging more or if others are responding to subtle behavioural changes by offering more support.”
This study highlights the significance of recognising how early Alzheimer’s symptoms may manifest differently than previously understood. While social connectedness is still believed to help build cognitive reserve—the brain’s ability to maintain function despite disease—the study suggests that increased social interaction may be an early behavioural change triggered by the disease itself.
The research also highlighted other known modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s, including physical inactivity, unmanaged diabetes, poor sleep, high blood pressure, smoking, depression, and certain medications. Experts estimate that up to 30% of Alzheimer’s cases may be linked to these lifestyle-related factors.
In related findings, a separate study from Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology found that late-life mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and mania could be early warning signs of neurodegenerative diseases. The research, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, examined the presence of abnormal tau proteins in the brains of individuals over 40 with mood disorders, suggesting these mental health changes could appear years before noticeable memory loss or cognitive decline.
