Social isolation, lifestyle and cognitive functioning in midlife and early‐late life: Implications for risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia

Background Social isolation (SI) is considered a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, associated with unhealthy lifestyle. We investigated independent combined associations of SI lifestyle functioning (CF) in midlife to early-late life population without dementia. This informs developing more targeted preventive strategies against Method The “LIfestyle BRAin health” (LIBRA) score was computed 6,203 baseline participants the LIFE-Adult-Study, population-based German cohort. LIBRA validated dementia prediction populations, consisting 12 factors (heart disease, kidney diabetes, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, diet, depression, activity). Higher scores (-5.9,+12.7) indicate “worse” assessed short Lubben Network Scale (score < 12). For CF, we calculated z-standardized composite Verbal Fluency Test, Trail Making Test A B. Associations CF were using generalized linear modelling. Bootstrapped structural equation modelling (SEM) tested whether mediated association between CF. Sampling weights applied, variables SEM. Results Participants M = 57.7 (SD 12.0, range: 40-79) years old; 50.7% female; 15.8% socially isolated. (β: -.17, 95%CI[-.24,-.10]; Wald 21.45, p .001) higher -.03, 95%CI[-.04,-.02]; 31.49, independently lower CF; there no interaction -.003, 95%CI[-.03,.02]; 0.06, .814; Fig.1). SEM (reps 10,000; R² .34) indicated that partially (IE -.006, 95%CI[-.008,-.003], .001; proportion 8.5%; Fig.2). Conclusion isolated than integrated individuals difference can be attributed health factors; however, only small extent. Therefore, public initiatives aiming at preventing might effective promoting good interventions life. would likely benefit reduction later