Loneliness in older adults can often lead to memory impairment [View all]

Jorge Garay, wired.com – Apr 21, 2026 10:23 AM

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Six-year study of thousands of single people

The team analyzed data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), one of the most robust longitudinal databases for studying aging. For six years, the researchers followed 10,217 adults, aged 65 to 94, from 12 European countries. They assessed their level of loneliness and their performance on memory tests.

The results show that age was the most important determinant of memory level and speed of decline. From the age of 75 onwards, scores began to fall more rapidly. After 85 the decline became more pronounced. Depression and chronic diseases such as diabetes also reduced the initial score. Loneliness, while influencing the starting point, did not accelerate the slope of cognitive decline.

The study also found that physical activity was associated with better initial memory scores. People who engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity at least once a month recalled more words on immediate and delayed recall tests. This effect did not change the speed of decline, but it did raise the baseline level, which functions as a kind of “cognitive buffer.”

Although the study does not explore the causes of the link between loneliness and cognition, previous research has proposed plausible mechanisms. Loneliness is often associated with less social interaction, a factor that influences cognitive performance. It is also associated with increased risk of depression, which does directly affect memory tests. In addition, lonely people tend to have more health problems, such as hypertension or diabetes, which also affect cognitive function.
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https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/04/loneliness-in-older-adults-can-often-lead-to-memory-impairment/