The default network of the human brain is associated with perceived social isolation.
Journal
Nature communications
ISSN: 2041-1723
Titre abrégé: Nat Commun
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101528555
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 12 2020
15 12 2020
Historique:
received:
06
07
2020
accepted:
14
10
2020
entrez:
15
12
2020
pubmed:
16
12
2020
medline:
5
1
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Humans survive and thrive through social exchange. Yet, social dependency also comes at a cost. Perceived social isolation, or loneliness, affects physical and mental health, cognitive performance, overall life expectancy, and increases vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease-related dementias. Despite severe consequences on behavior and health, the neural basis of loneliness remains elusive. Using the UK Biobank population imaging-genetics cohort (n = ~40,000, aged 40-69 years when recruited, mean age = 54.9), we test for signatures of loneliness in grey matter morphology, intrinsic functional coupling, and fiber tract microstructure. The loneliness-linked neurobiological profiles converge on a collection of brain regions known as the 'default network'. This higher associative network shows more consistent loneliness associations in grey matter volume than other cortical brain networks. Lonely individuals display stronger functional communication in the default network, and greater microstructural integrity of its fornix pathway. The findings fit with the possibility that the up-regulation of these neural circuits supports mentalizing, reminiscence and imagination to fill the social void.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33319780
doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20039-w
pii: 10.1038/s41467-020-20039-w
pmc: PMC7738683
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
6393Subventions
Organisme : NIA NIH HHS
ID : R01 AG068563
Pays : United States
Organisme : CIHR
ID : 438531
Pays : Canada
Commentaires et corrections
Type : ErratumIn
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