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This narrative review highlights important factors contributing to loneliness in older adults prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic and effects on brain health.

We characterize risk factors for loneliness in older adulthood and the impact of COVID-19. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of loneliness for older adults’ brain health.

Understanding the multifactorial causes of loneliness in different subpopulations of older adults both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic will provide insights for the development of interventions targeted to reduce loneliness in older adults based on their specific risk factors.