According to the latest reports, it seems that there is an unexpected factor that could trigger Parkinson’s Disease. Fortunately, this can be combated. Read below in order to find out more details about this.

Loneliness – a terrible epidemic

Loneliness could be a potential risk factor for Parkinson’s disease, which is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer’s disease.

Although genetics, toxins, and head injuries have long been known to increase the risk of developing this progressive movement disorder, a recent study published in JAMA Neurology suggests that emotional state can also play a pivotal role. This is the first time that an emotional state has been identified as a possible risk factor for Parkinson’s disease.

A 15-year old study

Researchers at Florida State University conducted a large cohort study to investigate the potential link between loneliness and the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

The study analyzed data on nearly 500,000 participants between the ages of 38-73 years from the UK Biobank biomedical database and research resource. The UK Biobank contains extensive genetic and health data from over half a million UK residents.

The researchers followed the participants’ health surveys and status over 15 years and found that over 2,800 people developed Parkinson’s disease during this period.

To measure loneliness and social isolation, the participants self-reported by answering the question, “Do you often feel lonely?” and through factors such as the frequency of friend or family visits, leisure or social activities, and household size.

The research team controlled for various risk factors like demographics, diabetes, genes, socioeconomic status, social isolation, smoking, physical activity, and BMI.

They found that loneliness was significantly associated with later Parkinson’s diagnosis, irrespective of age, genetic risk, and sex. However, the association reduced by 13.1 percent when the researchers accounted for chronic conditions like diabetes.

In sensitivity analysis, the relationship between loneliness and Parkinson’s persisted when excluding participants under 50. The study also showed that loneliness did not link to Parkinson’s in the first five years after baseline but became associated over the subsequent 10 years.

Mechanisms

Parkinson’s disease affects an estimated half a million Americans, but it is believed that the actual number is much higher as it is difficult to diagnose early.

Previous studies have shown that loneliness can lead to cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer’s, hypertension, and obesity.

According to the authors of a new study, loneliness may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease through inflammatory and metabolic pathways.

Stress-induced inflammation can damage brain neurons that produce dopamine, which is essential for normal motor control. This could contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease over time.

Another explanation is that social interaction stimulates the brain and promotes neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change and reorganize connections in response to learning or an experience. Interacting releases chemicals that help to grow new neurons, potentially protecting against neurodegeneration such as Parkinson’s.

Loneliness and social isolation can result in a sedentary lifestyle, which in turn can increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

According to Dr. Zehra Ali, a geriatric psychiatrist at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in New York who was not involved in the study, loneliness has been linked to smoking and obesity.

It can also lead to depression, alcohol dependence, and dementia. Loneliness can negatively impact physical health by increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

The loneliness epidemic effects

In May, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, released an advisory regarding the epidemic of loneliness and isolation that is affecting the country.

He emphasized the need to prioritize building social connections, just as we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders.

According to Dr. Murthy’s report, there has been a decline in social connections, particularly among young people. The report also found that about half of adults are lonely, which is costing billions in healthcare.

Dr. Anissa Abi-Dargham, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Stony Brook University in New York, warns against confusing social isolation with loneliness.

She explains that loneliness is more like the gap between how much people want to feel connected and how much they actually are, between their reality and their desires.

Even people within groups can feel lonely, which is very stressful. Isolated people may feel connected, and loneliness is subjective.

Social media is also a contributing factor, as it replaces real connections with pseudo-connections lacking close confidants.

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