" Living with a partner at midlife is associated with a lower risk for dementia in later life, according to a BMJ study.

Researchers examined a cohort of some 1500 Finns at midlife — at average age 50 — and then again about 20 years later. Baseline measurements included the participants' marital status: married or cohabiting; separated or divorced; single; and widowed. Marital status was determined again at follow-up.

Participants with the greatest risk for dementia were carriers of the apolipoprotein E e4 allele who were widowed or divorced both at midlife and again at follow-up. Also at risk were those living without a partner at midlife.

An editorialist suggests that targeting unmarried — especially widowed — people and encouraging them "to increase their social engagement" could be easily done in primary care practice."

Summary: David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH,

FemiSex Note: the APOE4 allele is a gene variant that is associated with higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This gene variant gives higher risk of developing the disorder regardless of marital or partner status.
Source:
BMJ article (Free)

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/jul02_2/b2462