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The Neural Processes Interlinking Social Isolation, Social Support, and Problem Alcohol Use
Thang M Le1, Wuyi Wang1, Simon Zhornitsky1
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
|November 19, 2020
Summary
Social isolation, measured by perceived burdensomeness, is linked to alcohol misuse. Brain imaging reveals altered connectivity in the hypothalamus and ventral striatum, suggesting neural pathways for this relationship.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Subjective social isolation, quantified by perceived burdensomeness (PB), is a significant risk factor for alcohol misuse.
- Elevated PB correlates with increased stress response and reduced cognitive control, both contributing to problem drinking.
- Identifying neural mechanisms linking PB and alcohol misuse is crucial for understanding and treating addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural substrates connecting perceived burdensomeness (PB) and alcohol misuse.
- To examine functional connectivity of the hypothalamus and ventral striatum (VS) in relation to PB in problem drinkers.
- To assess the moderating role of social support on the relationship between social isolation, neural connectivity, and alcohol use severity.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 61 problem drinkers were analyzed.
- Functional connectivity of the hypothalamus and VS was characterized in relation to PB.
- Path analysis was used to evaluate the influence of social support on the interplay between social isolation, neural connectivity, and problem drinking.
Main Results:
- Positive correlation found between PB and hypothalamic connectivity with the hippocampus.
- Inverse relationship observed between PB and VS connectivity with the middle frontal gyrus.
- An imbalance of elevated hypothalamic and diminished prefrontal cortical modulation was associated with problem drinking severity in socially isolated individuals.
Conclusions:
- Altered functional connectivity in the hypothalamus and VS may mediate problem drinking driven by social isolation.
- Social support emerged as a critical factor, potentially acting as a protective mechanism against alcohol misuse.
- Findings underscore the neural basis of social isolation's impact on alcohol use and highlight social support's therapeutic potential.
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