The loss of a loved one can have significant consequences on the cognitive abilities of older adults. Recent research, conducted by Hospital del Mar and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and published in the Colombiana de Psiquiatría Journal, suggests that cases of prolonged grief may cause or exacerbate cognitive decline.
Prolonged grief, considered a pathological condition, is characterized by an intense reaction that persists for more than six months after the loss. According to researchers, it is estimated that between 7% and 10% of individuals over 60 experience complicated grief. Symptoms include intense longing, persistent worries, difficulty accepting the loss, and a sense of loss of life's meaning.
The work, which has reviewed existing scientific evidence by analyzing eleven published studies, indicates that this type of grief is a risk factor for the onset or worsening of cognitive decline. "Prolonged grief constitutes an independent risk factor for cognitive decline, distinct from others," explains Laura Maldonado-Liñán, a researcher at UAB and the study's first author.
The most common cognitive impairments include immediate memory, attention, processing speed, executive functions, verbal fluency, and visuospatial skills. These consequences can vary in intensity depending on the severity of the grief, the individual's characteristics, and the presence of other risk factors or pre-existing conditions.
"Beyond the emotional factor of loss, pathological grief also has a cognitive impact," points out Dr. Josep Deví, the study's lead author and a neuropsychologist at Hospital del Mar. He notes that the severity and type of person, as well as the presence of pre-existing cognitive disorders or psychopathological conditions, can worsen these repercussions.
The study's authors emphasize the importance of detecting and intervening in cases of prolonged or pathological grief during comprehensive geriatric assessments. "It is necessary to monitor and, within this monitoring, provide psychiatric, psychological, and pharmacological treatment if needed," explains Dr. Deví. With adequate intervention, the emotional and cognitive consequences of prolonged grief could be reversible.
