Childhood Loneliness May Increase Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Adulthood

Recent research indicates that feelings of loneliness experienced during childhood are linked to heightened risks of cognitive decline and dementia later in life. A comprehensive study published on September 12, 2025, in JAMA Network Open analyzed data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study to explore this connection further. The study defined childhood loneliness based on self-reported frequent feelings of loneliness and the lack of close friendships before age 17.

Out of 13,592 participants, nearly half reported possible childhood loneliness, and a smaller percentage experienced childhood loneliness explicitly. Findings revealed that those who experienced loneliness in childhood exhibited a significantly faster rate of cognitive decline compared to those who did not, with the association remaining significant even after adjusting for loneliness in adulthood. The risk of developing dementia was also higher among individuals with childhood loneliness, with a hazard ratio of 1.41.

Interestingly, the study found that adult loneliness partially mediated this relationship—accounting for about 8.5% of the association with cognitive decline and 17.2% with dementia risk. However, childhood loneliness independently contributed to the increased risk regardless of loneliness experienced later in life.

Experts emphasize the importance of early interventions to prevent loneliness in childhood, suggesting that public health measures aimed at reducing loneliness from an early age could potentially help curb long-term cognitive health issues. These findings underscore the significance of fostering social connections in childhood as a preventative strategy against neurodegenerative diseases in aging populations.