The (un-)Social Brain in Isolation
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11110%2F25%3A10506799" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11110/25:10506799 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=_bdjQeWRU0" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=_bdjQeWRU0</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.935565" target="_blank" >10.33549/physiolres.935565</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
The (un-)Social Brain in Isolation
Original language description
The Social Brain is a distributed network of neuroanatomical regions and neurochemical systems that underpins the human capacity for social cognition, empathy, and interpersonal behavior. Social isolation (SI), defined as the objective reduction in social interaction, poses a significant threat to the integrity of this system. In this review, we synthesize evidence from human and animal studies to elucidate the biological, cognitive, and behavioral consequences of SI on the social brain. We describe how SI acts as a chronic stressor, disrupting structural connectivity, and altering neurotransmitter systems critical for social cognition. These disruptions manifest in altered social behavior, mentalization processes, and emotional reactivity, significantly contributing to increased vulnerability to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Converging findings from studies of evolutionarily conserved mechanisms in rodent and primate models demonstrate that SI compromises neurodevelopment, attenuates neuroplasticity, and triggers maladaptive stress responses, highlighting that social deprivation has profound neurobiological and behavioral consequences that greatly overlap with the pathophysiological changes seen in neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, we explore the role of indirect stressors resulting from SI such as touch deprivation and digital-era social disconnection as contemporary amplifiers of SI's neurobiological impact. In light of public health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we propose that SI should be recognized not only as a psychosocial condition but as a modifiable risk factor with transdiagnostic significance across psychiatry, neurology, and preventive medicine. Addressing SI through targeted interventions and policy measures is essential for promoting mental resilience and well-being.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
30105 - Physiology (including cytology)
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Physiological Research
ISSN
0862-8408
e-ISSN
1802-9973
Volume of the periodical
74
Issue of the periodical within the volume
5
Country of publishing house
CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC
Number of pages
17
Pages from-to
711-727
UT code for WoS article
001631813000003
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105022201398