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[ad_1] According to a study published in the online edition of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, older people who have little social interaction with others may be more likely to experience loss of overall brain volume and in areas of the brain affected by dementia. The study does not prove that social isolation causes brain shrinkage; it only shows an association. “Social isolation is a growing problem for older adults,” said study author Toshiharu Ninomiya, MD, PhD, of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. “These results suggest that providing support for people to help them start and maintain their connections to others may be beneficial for preventing brain atrophy and the development of dementia.” The study involved 8,896 people with an average age of 73 who did not have dementia. They had MRI brain scans and health exams. To determine social contact, people were asked one question: How often are you in contact with relatives or f...