The (un-)Social Brain in Isolation.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• The Social Brain network is crucial for social cognition, empathy, and behavior.
• Social isolation (SI) objectively reduces social interaction, threatening the social brain's integrity.
• SI acts as a chronic stressor with significant neurobiological and behavioral consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on the biological, cognitive, and behavioral effects of SI on the social brain.
• To elucidate how SI disrupts neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and social functioning.
• To highlight SI as a transdiagnostic risk factor across multiple medical fields.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of evidence from human and animal studies.
• Review of neuroanatomical and neurochemical alterations due to SI.
• Examination of evolutionary conserved mechanisms in rodent and primate models.

Main Results:

• SI disrupts structural connectivity and neurotransmitter systems critical for social cognition.
• SI leads to altered social behavior, mentalization, and emotional reactivity.
• SI compromises neurodevelopment, neuroplasticity, and triggers maladaptive stress responses.

Conclusions:

• SI significantly increases vulnerability to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Indirect stressors like touch deprivation amplify SI's neurobiological impact.
• Addressing SI is crucial for mental resilience and well-being, especially post-pandemic.