Activity in the substantia nigra is similar following a day of social isolation as it is following a day of starvation.
People with Parkinson's disease who have less social interaction are at greater risk for developing more severe symptoms of the disease than those who are less lonely.
Researchers explore the "sociocultural mental health phenomena" of Hikikomori, a disorder in which people socially isolate for extended periods of time.
Women aged 45 to 85 without partners and who didn't engage in frequent social activities had a higher rate of hypertension. Widowed women were most likely to exhibit symptoms of hypertension.
Social isolation experienced during childhood has an impact on adult brain function and behavior. Following two weeks of social isolation immediately following weaning in male mice, researchers noticed a failure in activation of medial prefrontal cortex neurons projecting to the posterior paraventricular thalamus during social exposure in adulthood. Findings suggest medial prefrontal cortex neurons required for sociability are profoundly affected by social isolation at a young age.
Active social connection is the strongest protective factor for depression, a new study reports. Additionally, reducing sedentary activities such as watching TV or taking a nap can also help lower depression risk.
People experience loneliness differently in adult life, depending on their age. The strongest association with loneliness is feeling excluded from society.
Study reveals how the brain's opioid system is linked to mood changes associated with depression and anxiety. Neuroimaging revealed, in those with depression, there is a decreased number of opioid receptors in specific areas of the brain.
In the medial prefrontal cortex, loneliness is associated with a reduced representational similarity between the self and others. Feeling socially disconnected may be mirrored by a self-representation of being a "loner."
Social preference in isolated zebrafish is caused by stress and anxiety, not observed anti-social patterns.
Study explores the wide-ranging, negative effects of social isolation on both psychological and physiological well-being.
Socially isolated individuals may have an increased risk of physical inflammation in the body. Researchers found social isolation was associated with the presence of C-reactive protein and increased levels of glycoprotein fibrinogen. The link between social isolation and physical inflammation was more common in males.
