Os impactos da solidão no desenvolvimento da doença de Alzheimer em mulheres: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly and involves changes that lead to the formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, resulting in cognitive impairment, especially in episodic memory. Loneliness is a unique condition where an individual perceives themselves as socially isolated, even when among others, posing a public health challenge associated with increased mortality and risk of cardiovascular and psychiatric diseases. The aim is to establish the impacts of loneliness on the development of AD in women to guide future studies and clinical practice. METHODOLOGY: Systematic Review registered in PROSPERO (CDCRD42024521068) and adherent to PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. In March 2024, systematic searches conducted by independent reviewers were carried out on international databases. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Downs and Black tool. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There is a significant association suggested between loneliness and the development of AD, emphasizing the importance of considering psychosocial factors in the context of aging and women's mental health. The findings support the hypothesis that loneliness may play a relevant role in the development of this syndrome in this population, identifying possible causal mechanisms, namely: chronic stress associated with loneliness, lack of social and emotional support, as well as reduced cognitive and social activity. The organization of studies allows for an analysis of AD incidence, cognitive decline progression, and their relationship with neurobiological changes associated with loneliness. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the complexity of the relationship between loneliness and AD in women, demonstrating its role in increasing disease risk and progression. Recognizing loneliness as a risk factor for the mental and cognitive health of elderly women is crucial, requiring specific health interventions and policies. Future research should investigate the mechanisms through which loneliness affects the brain.