OREANDA-NEWS   Scientists from New York University have established an interrelation between the risk of Alzheimer's disease and conversations with loved ones. 

According to the Daily Mail, researchers studied the cognitive abilities of more than 2,100 volunteers whose average age was 63 years. Brain size was measured in subjects using MRI : a smaller size indicates a deterioration in cognitive function and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

As a result, those volunteers whose brains were larger in size said that they always have someone to talk to, who is ready to listen to them.

The same study participants who did not have a permanent "listener" usually had a smaller brain size - it was "older" by 4 years than other volunteers.

Scientists have concluded that having a "good listener" reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and slows down the rate of brain aging.

"Deep and meaningful conversations are believed to keep the brain active by preventing the build-up of harmful deposits that cause Alzheimer's", -  the newspaper writes. 

The main risk factor for this ailment is age. But loneliness and lack of mental stimulation can accelerate the progression of the disease.

Joel Salinas, a neurologist from New York University, noted that people should be more attentive to their loved ones, give them a helping hand and keep in touch with them.