Maintaining a social network keeps the brain healthy

In older adults, social engagement helps protect against cognitive decline or dementia in later life, particularly in men, a recent Korea study has found.

The study included 2,707 men and 5,196 women, enrolled from the Korean longitudinal study of ageing. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), while social engagement was defined as the participation in any organization or activities of the following types: religious, senior centre, leisure, culture, sport, family or school reunions, volunteer, and political.

K-MMSE scores for men and women with consistent social engagement were 25.05 and 21.33, respectively, indicating a medium effect size in favour of men (Cohen’s d, 0.64). On the other hand, corresponding scores for those with consistent non-engagement were 23.30 and 20.78, corresponding to a small effect size in favour of men (Cohen’s d, 0.34).

Generalized estimating equation models showed that both men (β, –1.987; p=0.000) and women (β, –1.743; p<0.0001) who consistently did not engage in any of the mentioned social activities had significantly poorer cognitive function than those who were socially engaged.

Subgroup analysis further showed that non-engagement in senior centres was a significant risk factor for poor cognitive function in men (β, –1.987; p=0.000) and women (β, –1.743; p<0.0001). Non-engagement in religious activities led to lower cognitive function in women only (β, –2.039; p=0.027).

“Future interventions should develop tailored social engagement programs by considering their gender, sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health-related behaviours, and social interests or preferences in specific types of activities,” the researchers said.

“The distinct results between men and women on the association between social engagement and cognition should be confirmed by future studies that account for other potential confounders such as social network size and density, stress level, stressful life events, and perceived social support or loneliness,” they added.