Social engagement, cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease among older religious member populations

The study examined how social engagement, specifically social integration and social networks, may protect against cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. A secondary analysis of selected indicators of social engagement data from the Rush Religious Orders Study (David Bennett, Principal Investigator) was completed.;The data from a total of 921 participants completing a minimum of two years of follow up assessments were examined. The data included comprehensive annual neuropsychological testing and baseline social engagement measures.;The findings revealed that having a large social network did not delay the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and higher number of social contacts within the religious communities increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This may be the result of assessment tools that are not as sensitive as the social network members who come into daily contact to the subtle changes of the study participants. Social integration was found to delay the incidence of Alzheimer's disease, with work status having a strong relationship to this delay.;No association was found between social networks and decline of subsequent cognitive functioning. However, a positive relationship was found at baseline with higher social integration showing higher cognitive scores. This positive relationship was not held over time.