New study flips the script: Marriage may raise dementia risk

Now, the latest study, which tracked over 24,000 Americans over 18 years, has debunked the earlier findings and states otherwise.

So, does this mean marriage is bad for your brain? Let’s find out.

“Marriage may not be as strongly protective”

Dr. Avinash Kulkarni, consultant neurologist at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, points out that while social interaction has long been considered a protective factor against cognitive decline, it’s important not to oversimplify. “Each relationship has its own emotional ecosystem. Just being married doesn’t automatically mean a person is protected from cognitive issues,” he says.

He describes the study as offering “mixed results,” rather than a clear-cut link between marital status and dementia. “It doesn’t clearly show marriage is a risk factor. What it does say is that marriage may not be as strongly protective as we’ve believed,” he explains.

Dr. Kulkarni also highlights the complexity of trying to apply the US-based data to the Indian context. “In India, dementia seems more common in married women, especially those who’ve been confined to family roles without pursuing personal growth or careers,” he observes, adding that emotional dissatisfaction or a sense of unfulfillment can play a significant role in mental health outcomes.

Dr. Luv Bansal, consultant neurologist at Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, echoes the view that it’s not marriage itself, but the life one leads within or outside of it that matters. “Marriage as a social construct doesn’t directly affect dementia risk. It’s the associated lifestyle—stress levels, activity, and emotional health—that influences brain health,” he explains.

He also notes the shifting societal norms, especially in the West, where choosing to stay single often comes with increased independence, stronger social networks, and more opportunities for personal development. These factors could all contribute to a lower dementia risk.

“The real takeaway should be about lifestyle quality, not marital status,” says Dr. Bansal.

The role of stress, support, and shared habits

Dr. Shivakumar R, head and senior consultant neurologist at Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru, adds another layer to the conversation. “While marriage offers emotional companionship, it also brings complexities—especially in unhappy marriages or in caregiving roles, which can be mentally and physically draining,” he says. Chronic stress, depression, and anxiety—all linked to cognitive decline—can be amplified in such situations.

He also notes that shared lifestyles in married couples can be a double-edged sword. “Couples often mirror each other’s habits. If one partner has unhealthy routines, the other might adopt them too.”

On the flip side, unmarried individuals may maintain broader social circles and engage in a wider variety of activities, which are known to protect brain health.

Other explanations

While the data suggests that married individuals have higher dementia rates, this may be due to ascertainment bias. This means that spouses are more likely to notice early symptoms and push for medical help, leading to more diagnoses.

However, since all participants in the study had regular check-ups from doctors (serving as a kind of proxy spouse), this explanation doesn’t fully hold.

Additionally, the sample used in the study lacked diversity and had a high percentage of married participants, which could limit how broadly the findings apply.

However, what the research does make clear is that the link between relationships and brain health is far more layered than previously thought. Marriage alone isn’t necessarily a safeguard against dementia. Factors like the quality of a relationship, how someone feels post-divorce, cultural context, and how socially connected single people are might all play a role. The study ultimately suggests that feeling supported and emotionally fulfilled, regardless of your relationship status, could be more crucial to brain health than simply being married.