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isolation

This shows a child standing alone and a neural network.

·October 2, 2025·6 min read

Teen Solitude Linked to Measurable Changes in Brain Networks

Adolescents who regularly choose solitude over social connection show measurable differences in brain structure and function, according to a large neuroimaging study. Brain scans revealed altered activity and weaker connections in regions tied to social and emotional processing, with changes spanning multiple cognitive networks.

This shows a teen sitting alone on a phone.

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·November 13, 2024·6 min read

Isolation Spurs Teen Threat Sensitivity, Even With Online Interaction

A new study finds that brief isolation increases threat sensitivity in teens, even if they remain connected online. Adolescents isolated in a room for several hours showed heightened physiological stress and anxious responses to potential threats, regardless of whether they had access to smartphones.

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·September 7, 2021·4 min read

Social Isolation Can Be Deadly for Older Adults

Socially isolated older adults are more likely to die when admitted to ICU or face an increased risk of disability once discharged than those who have social support.

This shows two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle

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·September 2, 2021·4 min read

Study Highlights Mental Health Impacts of Isolation

Following periods of acute isolation, female mice display a strong desire to socialize with other females by significantly increasing their production of social calls that are much like human emotional vocalizations. The behavioral response provides a new avenue to understand neural mechanisms through which social isolation affects a person's social motivation and mental health.

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·August 11, 2021·6 min read

Memory and Information Processing Affected by Isolation

30% of people reported changes in cognition, memory, and problems with information processing as a result of social isolation caused by pandemic lockdowns.

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·October 31, 2020·4 min read

Hikikomori: Understanding the People Who Choose to Live in Extreme Isolation

Researchers explore the "sociocultural mental health phenomena" of Hikikomori, a disorder in which people socially isolate for extended periods of time.

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·May 3, 2020·4 min read

Lockdown singing: the science of why music helps us connect in isolation

Researchers explore how and why music is helping to keep us all connected during the coronavirus lockdown.

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·February 23, 2020·3 min read

Social isolation during adolescence drives long-term disruptions in social behavior

Social isolation during key periods of adolescence leads to long-term disruptions in social behavior and activity in neural patterns.

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·February 16, 2020·4 min read

Depression memes may be a coping mechanism for people with mental illness

Those with depression find internet memes that rate as depressive more relatable and funnier. They also thought the depressive memes could be used to improve the mood of others with depression.

This shows one of the study participants

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·January 22, 2020·5 min read

What it’s like to live without a sense of smell?

Olfactory disturbances have wide-ranging implications for both the mental health and emotional well being of sufferers.

Image shows Gordon Holt and Emily Sakievich.

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·July 23, 2017·7 min read

Choir Helps People with Parkinson’s Disease Battle Destructive Effects to Muscles, Brain and Voice

Researchers at the Northern Arizona University are helping alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's and quash social isolation in sufferers by establishing a choir.