Chinese researchers have discovered that persistent social isolation or feelings of loneliness may accelerate cognitive decline and lead to higher cognitive impairment risk. Researchers from Southern Medical University and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention studied the associations of changes in social isolation, loneliness, or both, with cognitive function among older adults. Data from 7,299 older adults were analyzed, and four change patterns for social isolation and loneliness were identified: no change, incident, transient, and persistent. Researchers discovered that incident, transient, and persistent social isolation, along with persistent loneliness, were associated with accelerated cognitive decline and an increased risk of cognitive impairment. Short-term or persistent social isolation with concurrent loneliness has accelerated cognitive decline and increased the risk of cognitive impairment. Social isolation is defined as the objective absence of social contact and a diminish ed social network. In contrast, loneliness represents a subjective assessment of how individuals find satisfaction in their social connections. Source: Qatar News Agency