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Lindsay EK, Marsland AL, Cole SW, Dutcher JM, Greco CM, Wright AG, Brown KW, Creswell JD. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Reduces Proinflammatory Gene Regulation But Not Systemic Inflammation Among Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:463-472. [PMID: 37982547 PMCID: PMC11098967 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aging is associated with increased proinflammatory gene expression and systemic inflammation, and psychosocial stress may accelerate these changes. Mindfulness interventions show promise for reducing psychosocial stress and extending healthspan. Inflammatory pathways may play a role. In a sample of lonely older adults, we tested whether mindfulness training reduces proinflammatory gene expression and protein markers of systemic inflammation. METHODS Lonely older adults (65-85 years; N = 190) were randomly assigned to an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or matched Health Enhancement Program (HEP). Blood was drawn before and after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, RNA profiling was used to assess transcriptional regulation by proinflammatory nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) as well as β-adrenergic cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), antiviral interferon regulatory factor (IRF), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transcription factors. Plasma was assayed for proinflammatory markers interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Analyses tested time (pre, post, follow-up) by condition (MBSR versus HEP) effects. RESULTS MBSR reduced NF-κB ( d = 0.17, p = .028) but did not alter CREB ( d = 0.10, p = .20), IRF ( d = 0.13, p = .086), or GR activity ( d = 0.14, p = .063) relative to HEP over time. Contrary to predictions, there were no time by condition effects of MBSR compared with HEP on reducing circulating IL-6 or CRP. CONCLUSIONS In lonely older adults, MBSR reduced cellular proinflammatory gene regulation in ways that would predict reduced disease risk. However, no similar effect was observed for circulating protein markers of inflammation. These results provide specificity about how mindfulness interventions may impact distinct inflammatory markers among aging adults in ways that may have important implications for healthspan. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials identifier NCT02888600.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steven W. Cole
- UCLA School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
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Nicoloro-SantaBarbara J, Lobel M. Loneliness and Its Predictors in Rare Versus Common Chronic Illnesses. Int J Behav Med 2024; 31:422-432. [PMID: 37845486 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-023-10231-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is a growing public health concern associated with substantial negative mental and physical health outcomes. Loneliness is especially relevant for individuals with a chronic illness, perhaps more so if their illness is rare. Little is known about the psychosocial experience of individuals with a rare chronic illness, and whether and how it may differ from the experience of individuals with common chronic illnesses. We compared the magnitude of loneliness in persons with a rare or common chronic illness and examined theoretically guided predictors of loneliness as follows: stigma, illness intrusiveness, social comparison, social support, support from healthcare providers, and self-efficacy. METHOD Individuals with a chronic illness (common or rare) completed an anonymous online survey (N = 952). RESULTS Individuals with common chronic illnesses were as lonely as those with a rare chronic illness. Loneliness in both groups was higher than that in population norms. Regression analyses reveal that independent of other predictors, loneliness was especially high among people who feel stigmatized by others, those who have less social support available, and people whose functioning is more disrupted by their illness (all p values < 0.01). CONCLUSION The similarity of loneliness in these groups reinforces the value of further systematic research to identify the needs of individuals with any type of chronic illness. Study findings highlight the importance of examining internalized stigma and social support as possible targets of intervention to reduce loneliness among individuals with a chronic illness, recognizing some of the unique features and challenges of their disorders, whether common or rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Nicoloro-SantaBarbara
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Marci Lobel
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA
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3
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Khalid S, Kearney M, McReynolds DE. Can social adversity alter the epigenome, trigger oral disease, and affect future generations? Ir J Med Sci 2024:10.1007/s11845-024-03697-3. [PMID: 38740675 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-024-03697-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The nature versus nurture debate has intrigued scientific circles for decades. Although extensive research has established a clear relationship between genetics and disease development, recent evidence has highlighted the insufficiency of attributing adverse health outcomes to genetic factors alone. In fact, it has been suggested that environmental influences, such as socioeconomic position (SEP), may play a much larger role in the development of disease than previously thought, with extensive research suggesting that low SEP is associated with adverse health conditions. In relation to oral health, a higher prevalence of caries (tooth decay) exists among those of low SEP. Although little is known about the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship, epigenetic modifications resulting from environmental influences have been suggested to play an important role. This review explores the intersection of health inequalities and epigenetics, the role of early-life social adversity and its long-term epigenetic impacts, and how those living within the lower hierarchies of the socioeconomic pyramid are indeed at higher risk of developing diseases, particularly in relation to oral health. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms could lead to the development of targeted interventions for individuals of low SEP to improve oral health or identify those who are at higher risk of developing oral disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakr Khalid
- Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michaela Kearney
- Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David E McReynolds
- Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Lin A, Akafia C, Dal Monte O, Fan S, Fagan N, Putnam P, Tye KM, Chang S, Ba D, Allsop AZAS. An unbiased method to partition diverse neuronal responses into functional ensembles reveals interpretable population dynamics during innate social behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.08.593229. [PMID: 38766234 PMCID: PMC11100741 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.08.593229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
In neuroscience, understanding how single-neuron firing contributes to distributed neural ensembles is crucial. Traditional methods of analysis have been limited to descriptions of whole population activity, or, when analyzing individual neurons, criteria for response categorization varied significantly across experiments. Current methods lack scalability for large datasets, fail to capture temporal changes and rely on parametric assumptions. There's a need for a robust, scalable, and non-parametric functional clustering approach to capture interpretable dynamics. To address this challenge, we developed a model-based, statistical framework for unsupervised clustering of multiple time series datasets that exhibit nonlinear dynamics into an a-priori-unknown number of parameterized ensembles called Functional Encoding Units (FEUs). FEU outperforms existing techniques in accuracy and benchmark scores. Here, we apply this FEU formalism to single-unit recordings collected during social behaviors in rodents and primates and demonstrate its hypothesis-generating and testing capacities. This novel pipeline serves as an analytic bridge, translating neural ensemble codes across model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cyril Akafia
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Olga Dal Monte
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Siqi Fan
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicholas Fagan
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Philip Putnam
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kay M. Tye
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Kavli Institute for the Brain and Mind, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Steve Chang
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Demba Ba
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Brain Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Kempner Institute for the Study of Artificial and Natural Intelligence, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - AZA Stephen Allsop
- Center for Collective Healing, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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5
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Girella A, Di Bartolomeo M, Dainese E, Buzzelli V, Trezza V, D'Addario C. Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Genes Regulation is Modulated by Social Isolation in Rats. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:1278-1290. [PMID: 38368587 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Social isolation is a state of lack of social connections, involving the modulation of different molecular signalling cascades and associated with high risk of mental health issues. To investigate if and how gene expression is modulated by social experience at the central level, we analyzed the effects of 5 weeks of social isolation in rats focusing on endocannabinoid system genes transcription in key brain regions involved in emotional control. We observed selective reduction in mRNA levels for fatty acid amide hydrolase (Faah) and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (Cnr1) genes in the amygdala complex and of Cnr1 in the prefrontal cortex of socially isolated rats when compared to controls, and these changes appear to be partially driven by trimethylation of Lysine 27 and acetylation of Lysine 9 at Histone 3. The alterations of Cnr1 transcriptional regulation result also directly correlated with those of oxytocin receptor gene. We here suggest that to counteract the effects of SI, it is of relevance to restore the endocannabinoid system homeostasis via the use of environmental triggers able to revert those epigenetic mechanisms accounting for the alterations observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Girella
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Enrico Dainese
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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6
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Barnard ME, Wang X, Petrick JL, Zirpoli GR, Jones D, Johnson WE, Palmer JR. Psychosocial stressors and breast cancer gene expression in the Black Women's Health Study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 204:327-340. [PMID: 38127176 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07182-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prior studies indicate that the physiologic response to stress can affect gene expression. We evaluated differential gene expression in breast cancers collected from Black women with high versus low exposure to psychosocial stressors. METHODS We analyzed tumor RNA sequencing data from 417 Black Women's Health Study breast cancer cases with data on early life trauma and neighborhood disadvantage. We conducted age-adjusted differential gene expression analyses and pathway analyses. We also evaluated Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) contrast scores, relative fractions of immune cell types, T cell exhaustion, and adrenergic signaling. Analyses were run separately for estrogen receptor positive (ER+; n = 299) and ER- (n = 118) cases. RESULTS Among ER+ cases, the top differentially expressed pathways by stress exposure were related to RNA and protein metabolism. Among ER- cases, they were related to developmental biology, signal transduction, metabolism, and the immune system. Targeted analyses indicated greater immune pathway enrichment with stress exposure for ER- cases, and possible relevance of adrenergic signaling for ER+ cases. CTRA contrast scores did not differ by stress exposure, but in analyses of the CTRA components, ER- breast cancer cases with high neighborhood disadvantage had higher pro-inflammatory gene expression (p = 0.039) and higher antibody gene expression (p = 0.006) compared to those with low neighborhood disadvantage. CONCLUSION There are multiple pathways through which psychosocial stress exposure may influence breast tumor biology. Given the present findings on inflammation and immune response in ER- tumors, further research to identify stress-induced changes in the etiology and progression of ER- breast cancer is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie E Barnard
- Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Xutao Wang
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica L Petrick
- Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Gary R Zirpoli
- Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Dennis Jones
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - W Evan Johnson
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Center for Data Science, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Julie R Palmer
- Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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Dabiri S, Mwendwa DT, Campbell A. Psychological and neurobiological mechanisms involved in the relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline in older adults. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:10-21. [PMID: 38008386 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness, among older adults, is one of the risk factors for developing dementia. Still, little is known about the neurobiological and psychological conditions that link loneliness to cognitive decline. The current study investigated several research aims: First, it sought to identify neurobiological and psychological pathways that may account for the relationship between loneliness and decline across several cognitive domains. These pathways included depressive symptoms, total gray matter volume, and conditional analyses of pro-inflammatory cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Second, it examined loneliness as a predictor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Third, it sought to determine whether the relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline is sex-specific in older adults. Longitudinal data were collected from 2130 Rush Memory and Aging Project participants. Participants underwent annual cognitive and psychological assessments and neuroimaging procedures every year. BDNF gene expression was measured in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cytokines were measured in serum, and the final consensus clinical diagnosis was identified at the time of death. All linear mixed and multinomial logistic regression models controlled for age at baseline, education, sex, and APOE genotype. Participants were largely women (73 %), and Caucasian (93 %). The average education was 14.93 (SD = 3.34). The average age at baseline was 80.05 (SD = 7.57). Results showed that gray matter volume and depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline. There was a significant interaction between loneliness and BDNF expression in relation to cognitive decline. Higher levels of BDNF expression was associated with slower decline in semantic memory and visuospatial ability. Finally, the current study also established that higher levels of loneliness was positively associated with the incidence of AD and other dementias. The present findings support the growing literature, which tends to show that the consequence of loneliness goes beyond the feeling of being isolated. Loneliness may induce physiological changes in our brains, leading to cognitive decline. Future research can explore a wide range of biological and psychological expressions of loneliness to clarify how loneliness relates to dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Dabiri
- The Alzheimer's Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab, University of Southern California, United States.
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8
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Bird CM, Kate Webb E, Cole SW, Tomas CW, Knight JM, Timmer-Murillo SC, Larson CL, deRoon-Cassini TA, Torres L. Experiences of racial discrimination and adverse gene expression among black individuals in a level 1 trauma center sample. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:229-236. [PMID: 38070623 PMCID: PMC10872243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 40 % of individuals who sustain traumatic injuries are at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the conditional risk for developing PTSD is even higher for Black individuals. Exposure to racial discrimination, including at both interpersonal and structural levels, helps explain this health inequity. Yet, the relationship between racial discrimination and biological processes in the context of traumatic injury has yet to be fully explored. The current study examined whether racial discrimination is associated with a cumulative measure of biological stress, the gene expression profile conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), in Black trauma survivors. Two-weeks (T1) and six-months (T2) post-injury, Black participants (N = 94) provided a blood specimen and completed assessments of lifetime racial discrimination and PTSD symptoms. Mixed effect linear models evaluated the relationship between change in CTRA gene expression and racial discrimination while adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, heavy alcohol use history, and trauma-related variables (mechanism of injury, lifetime trauma). Results revealed that for individuals exposed to higher levels of lifetime racial discrimination, CTRA significantly increased between T1 and T2. Conversely, CTRA did not increase significantly over time in individuals exposed to lower levels of lifetime racial discrimination. Thus, racial discrimination appeared to lead to a more sensitized biological profile which was further amplified by the effects of a recent traumatic injury. These findings replicate and extend previous research elucidating the processes by which racial discrimination targets biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Kate Webb
- McLean Hospital, Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, Belmont, MA USA; Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA USA
| | - Steven W Cole
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carissa W Tomas
- Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, WI, USA
| | - Jennifer M Knight
- Department of Trauma and Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, WI, USA
| | | | - Christine L Larson
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Lucas Torres
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Okabe-Miyamoto K, Walsh LC, Ozer DJ, Lyubomirsky S. Measuring the experience of social connection within specific social interactions: The Connection During Conversations Scale (CDCS). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0286408. [PMID: 38236933 PMCID: PMC10795981 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Decades of research have demonstrated that social connection is fundamental to health and well-being. The benefits of connection are observed with both close and distant others, within both new and established relationships, and even with exchanges that unfold over a relatively short timeframe. Because social connection is fundamental to well-being, many existing measures in the literature aim to assess either a global sense of connection or partner-specific (relationship-specific) connection. What is missing are measures of connection felt in specific social interactions or conversations. In three studies (Study 1: N = 351; Study 2: Time 1 N = 397, Time 2 N = 336, Time 3 N = 299; Study 3: N = 235), we developed the Connection During Conversations Scale (CDCS), a 14-item measure of conversation-specific social connection that assesses connection experienced during a social interaction (or conversation). Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that a four-factor model fit our samples well, which resulted in four subscales: Shared Reality, Partner Responsiveness, Participant Interest, and Affective Experience. The overall CDCS measure, along with its four subscales, was significantly correlated with established measures of loneliness, partner responsiveness, relatedness, positivity resonance, and shared reality. Because of the importance of frequent interactions-whether with family, friends, coworkers, or strangers-our new scale will allow researchers to better understand how, when, and where such conversations may contribute to social connection and well-being. (225 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karynna Okabe-Miyamoto
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Lisa C. Walsh
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel J. Ozer
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Sonja Lyubomirsky
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
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Matthews T, Rasmussen LJH, Ambler A, Danese A, Eugen-Olsen J, Fancourt D, Fisher HL, Iversen KK, Schultz M, Sugden K, Williams B, Caspi A, Moffitt TE. Social isolation, loneliness, and inflammation: A multi-cohort investigation in early and mid-adulthood. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:727-736. [PMID: 37992788 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Social isolation and loneliness have been associated with poor health and increased risk for mortality, and inflammation might explain this link. We used data from the Danish TRIAGE Study of acutely admitted medical patients (N = 6,144, mean age 60 years), and from two population-representative birth cohorts: the New Zealand Dunedin Longitudinal Study (N = 881, age 45) and the UK Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study (N = 1448, age 18), to investigate associations of social isolation with three markers of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and a newer inflammation marker, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), which is thought to index systemic chronic inflammation. In the TRIAGE Study, socially isolated patients (those living alone) had significantly higher median levels of suPAR (but not CRP or IL-6) compared with patients not living by themselves. Social isolation prospectively measured in childhood was longitudinally associated with higher CRP, IL-6, and suPAR levels in adulthood (at age 45 in the Dunedin Study and age 18 in the E-Risk Study), but only suPAR remained associated after controlling for covariates. Dunedin Study participants who reported loneliness at age 38 or age 45 had elevated suPAR at age 45. In contrast, E-Risk Study participants reporting loneliness at age 18 did not show any elevated markers of inflammation. In conclusion, social isolation was robustly associated with increased inflammation in adulthood, both in medical patients and in the general population. It was associated in particular with systemic chronic inflammation, evident from the consistently stronger associations with suPAR than other inflammation biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Matthews
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Education, Health and Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Antony Ambler
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Danese
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; National and Specialist CAMHS Trauma and Anxiety Clinic, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jesper Eugen-Olsen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; ViroGates A/S, Birkerød, Denmark
| | - Daisy Fancourt
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen L Fisher
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kasper Karmark Iversen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark; Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Schultz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin Williams
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Lynch M, Em Arpawong T, Beam CR. Associations Between Longitudinal Loneliness, DNA Methylation Age Acceleration, and Cognitive Functioning. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:2045-2059. [PMID: 37718577 PMCID: PMC10699733 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Loneliness may influence aging biomarkers related to cognitive functioning, for example, through accelerated DNA methylation (DNAm) aging. METHODS In the present study, we tested whether six common DNAm age acceleration measures mediated the effects of baseline loneliness and five different longitudinal loneliness trajectories on general cognitive ability, immediate memory recall, delayed memory recall, and processing speed in 1,814 older adults in the Health and Retirement Study. RESULTS We found that baseline loneliness and individuals who belong to the highest loneliness trajectories had poorer general cognitive ability and memory scores. Only DNAm age acceleration measures that index physiological comorbidities, unhealthy lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking), and mortality risk-mediated effects of baseline loneliness on general cognitive ability and memory functioning but not processing speed. These same DNAm measures mediated effects of the moderate-but-declining loneliness trajectory on cognitive functioning. Additionally, immediate and delayed memory scores were mediated by GrimAge Accel in the lowest and two highest loneliness trajectory groups. Total and mediated effects of loneliness on cognitive functioning outcomes were mainly accounted for by demographic, social, psychological, and physiological covariates, most notably self-rated health, depressive symptomatology, objective social isolation, and body mass index. DISCUSSION Current findings suggest that DNAm biomarkers of aging, particularly GrimAge Accel, have promise for explaining the prospective association between loneliness and cognitive functioning outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Lynch
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Thalida Em Arpawong
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christopher R Beam
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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12
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Bowirrat A, Elman I, Dennen CA, Gondré-Lewis MC, Cadet JL, Khalsa J, Baron D, Soni D, Gold MS, McLaughlin TJ, Bagchi D, Braverman ER, Ceccanti M, Thanos PK, Modestino EJ, Sunder K, Jafari N, Zeine F, Badgaiyan RD, Barh D, Makale M, Murphy KT, Blum K. Neurogenetics and Epigenetics of Loneliness. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:4839-4857. [PMID: 38050640 PMCID: PMC10693768 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s423802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness, an established risk factor for both, mental and physical morbidity, is a mounting public health concern. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying loneliness-related morbidity are not yet well defined. Here we examined the role of genes and associated DNA risk polymorphic variants that are implicated in loneliness via genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and may thus point to specific therapeutic targets. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE databases using specific Medical Subject Headings terms such as loneliness and genes, neuro- and epigenetics, addiction, affective disorders, alcohol, anti-reward, anxiety, depression, dopamine, cancer, cardiovascular, cognitive, hypodopaminergia, medical, motivation, (neuro)psychopathology, social isolation, and reward deficiency. The narrative literature review yielded recursive collections of scientific and clinical evidence, which were subsequently condensed and summarized in the following key areas: (1) Genetic Antecedents: Exploration of multiple genes mediating reward, stress, immunity and other important vital functions; (2) Genes and Mental Health: Examination of genes linked to personality traits and mental illnesses providing insights into the intricate network of interaction converging on the experience of loneliness; (3) Epigenetic Effects: Inquiry into instances of loneliness and social isolation that are driven by epigenetic methylations associated with negative childhood experiences; and (4) Neural Correlates: Analysis of loneliness-related affective states and cognitions with a focus on hypodopaminergic reward deficiency arising in the context of early life stress, eg, maternal separation, underscoring the importance of parental support early in life. Identification of the individual contributions by various (epi)genetic factors presents opportunities for the creation of innovative preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for individuals who cope with persistent feelings of loneliness. The clinical facets and therapeutic prospects associated with the current understanding of loneliness, are discussed emphasizing the relevance of genes and DNA risk polymorphic variants in the context of loneliness-related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, 40700, Israel
| | - Igor Elman
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Catherine A Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marjorie C Gondré-Lewis
- Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jag Khalsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise, and Mental Health, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Diwanshu Soni
- Western University Health Sciences School of Medicine, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Thomas J McLaughlin
- Division of Reward Deficiency Clinics, TranspliceGen Therapeutics, Inc, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Debasis Bagchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric R Braverman
- Division of Clinical Neurology, The Kenneth Blum Institute of Neurogenetics & Behavior, LLC, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Alcohol Addiction Program, Latium Region Referral Center, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, 00185, Italy
| | - Panayotis K Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | | | - Keerthy Sunder
- Karma Doctors & Karma TMS, and Suder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Jafari
- Department of Human Development, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Cross-Cultural Research and Educational Institute, San Clemente, CA, USA
| | - Foojan Zeine
- Awareness Integration Institute, San Clemente, CA, USA
- Department of Health Science, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | | | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Purba Medinipur, WB, 721172, India
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Milan Makale
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0819, USA
| | - Kevin T Murphy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth Blum
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, 40700, Israel
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise, and Mental Health, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
- Division of Reward Deficiency Clinics, TranspliceGen Therapeutics, Inc, Austin, TX, USA
- Division of Clinical Neurology, The Kenneth Blum Institute of Neurogenetics & Behavior, LLC, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, USA
- Division of Personalized Medicine, Cross-Cultural Research and Educational Institute, San Clemente, CA, USA
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Purba Medinipur, WB, 721172, India
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, VA, USA
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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13
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Taylor MR, Cole SW, Strom J, Brazauskas R, Baker KS, Phelan R, Buchbinder D, Hamilton B, Schoemans H, Shaw BE, Sharma A, Bhatt NS, Badawy SM, Winestone LE, Preussler JM, Mayo S, Jamani K, Nishihori T, Lee MA, Knight JM. Unfavorable transcriptome profiles and social disadvantage in hematopoietic cell transplantation: a CIBMTR analysis. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6830-6838. [PMID: 37773924 PMCID: PMC10679811 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) capture subjective social determinants of health (SDOHs), which can affect health outcomes through the stress response pathway. The conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA) is a stress-mediated proinflammatory transcriptomic pattern that has been linked to adverse hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) outcomes. This study examined the association of pretransplant CTRA with patient-reported SDOHs in allogeneic HCT recipients. In this cross-sectional study, pre-HCT SDOH-related PROs included the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT). CTRA was assessed by RNA sequencing of whole blood specimens, with mixed effects linear regression models relating CTRA expression to PRO scores while controlling for age, sex, race, disease, and performance status. Among 121 patients, the median age was 54 years, 42% were female, and 91% were White. CTRA was elevated in participants reporting lower scores on the FACT-BMT (P = .003), including the general (P = .003) and BMT-specific (P = .014) components. Effects were driven by the social well-being domain (P = .0001). This corresponded to an 8% to 15% difference in CTRA RNA expression across a 4 standard deviation range in patient-reported SDOHs. Ancillary bioinformatics analyses confirmed the association of well-being with reduced proinflammatory transcription pathway activity [cyclic AMP response element-binding protein, (CREB), NF-κB, and activating protein-1 (AP-1)]. In conclusion, HCT-treated patients who experience unfavorable social conditions show elevated CTRA expression in pretransplant blood samples. These data highlight the biologic sequelae of social well-being and community context and suggest a potential molecular mechanism for the impact of social gradients in HCT outcomes. Targeting this pathway could optimize outcomes in this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory R. Taylor
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Steve W. Cole
- Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Joelle Strom
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Ruta Brazauskas
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - K. Scott Baker
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Rachel Phelan
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - David Buchbinder
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA
| | - Betty Hamilton
- Blood & Marrow Transplant Program, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH
| | - Hélène Schoemans
- Department of Hematology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, ACCENT VV, KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bronwen E. Shaw
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Neel S. Bhatt
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Sherif M. Badawy
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Lena E. Winestone
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and BMT, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jaime M. Preussler
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Samantha Mayo
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kareem Jamani
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Taiga Nishihori
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Michelle A. Lee
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
| | - Jennifer M. Knight
- Section of BMT & Cellular Therapies, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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14
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Yin Y, Fan CF. The Effects of Mukbang Watching on Enteral Feeding Intolerance Among Critically Ill Patients: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trail. Patient Prefer Adherence 2023; 17:2891-2897. [PMID: 37965439 PMCID: PMC10642568 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s438190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose With an estimated prevalence of 38%, enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) is common in critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN), and is associated with higher mortality and longer duration of mechanical ventilation. Various methods have been reported to decrease the incidence of EFI during EN, such as post-pyloric feeding, continuous EN delivery, abdominal massage, and probiotic supplementation. However, several studies reported conflicting results. Inappropriate interventions may cause gastrointestinal (GI) injury. This study aims to design a protocol based on Mukbang videos, which are widely watched online, to detect their effects on the incidence of EFI, nutritional status, incidence of infectious complications, and activities of daily living. Patients and Methods We will conduct a three-arm, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial that will be implemented in 273 patients from intensive care units. Participants will be randomized into one of the three intervention arms (1:1:1), which will be performed by a research assistant. Participants were allocated to three groups: (a) watching mukbang video, (b) watching a cooking show, and (c) watching a non-food content video. Prior to EN initiation, each participant will watch a ten-minute mukbang video, cookery show, or non-food content video. Conclusion Mukbang videos show food, expressions of mukbangers and eating sounds. If it effectively reduces the incidence of EFI, leads to greater nutritional status, lower incidence of infectious complications, and a higher level of independence among patients compared with watching cooking videos or non-food content videos, it has broad dissemination potential as a non-invasive, easily assessing, and using method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao-Feng Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
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15
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Hartley-Blossom Z, Cardona-Del Valle A, Muns-Aponte C, Udayakumar N, Carlos RC, Flores EJ. Advancing Health Equity in Lung Cancer Screening and the Role of Humanomics. Thorac Surg Clin 2023; 33:365-373. [PMID: 37806739 PMCID: PMC10622157 DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Identifying and managing lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-specific mortality, depend on multiple medical and sociodemographic factors. Humanomics is a model that acknowledges that negative societal stressors from systemic inequity affect individual health by altering pro-inflammatory gene expression. The same factors which may predispose individuals to lung cancer may also obstruct equitably prompt diagnosis and treatment. Increasing lung cancer screening access can lessen disparities in outcomes among disproportionately affected communities. Here, the authors describe several individual, provider, and health system-level obstacles to lung cancer screening and offer actionable solutions to increase access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Hartley-Blossom
- Division of Thoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Alejandra Cardona-Del Valle
- Department of Radiology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Rio Piedras Medical Center Americo Miranda Avenue, San Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico
| | - Claudia Muns-Aponte
- Department of Radiology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Rio Piedras Medical Center Americo Miranda Avenue, San Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico
| | - Neha Udayakumar
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ruth C Carlos
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ste C21, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Efren J Flores
- Division of Thoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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16
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Kong X, Han F, Li J, Wang W, Sun Y, Wu Y. Serial multiple mediation of loneliness and depressive symptoms in the relationship between pain and cognitive function among older people. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:2102-2110. [PMID: 37278696 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2219626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although the negative effect of pain on cognitive function has been widely reported, it is unclear how the effect is mediated. The aim of this study is to analyze the mediating role of loneliness and depressive symptoms in the association between pain and cognitive function. METHODS A total of 6,309 participants aged ≥50 years from 2012/13 (T1), 2014/15 (T2), 2016/17 (T3) and 2018/19 (T4) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) were included. Of them, 55.8% were females, and the median age (rang) was 65 (50-99) years at T1. Serial mediation analysis was performed using Mplus 8.3. RESULTS The mediation model explained 10.1% of the variance in loneliness, 22.1% of the variance of depressive symptoms, and 22.7% of the variance of cognitive function. Higher level pain was associated with poorer cognitive function (c: β = -0.057; p < 0.001). The negative effect of pain on cognition was mediated separately and sequentially through loneliness and depressive symptoms, with loneliness and depressive symptoms explaining 8.8% of the total effect, respectively, and the pathway of loneliness and subsequent depression explaining 1.8%. CONCLUSIONS Diversified interventions aimed at treating pain in older adults would be beneficial for their mental health and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjie Kong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fulei Han
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Li
- Critical Care Medical Center, Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Weijing Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yili Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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17
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Prather H, Cheng J. Relationship of Chronic Systemic Inflammation to Both Chronic Lifestyle-Related Diseases and Osteoarthritis: The Case for Lifestyle Medicine for Osteoarthritis. HSS J 2023; 19:459-466. [PMID: 37937092 PMCID: PMC10626930 DOI: 10.1177/15563316231193753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Systemic inflammation is a root cause of lifestyle-related chronic diseases and may also play a role in the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Lifestyle medicine seeks to treat, prevent, and reverse lifestyle-related chronic disease via 6 pillars: nutrition, sleep health, stress management, physical activity, social connections, and risky behavior avoidance/reduction. This article presents a review of the literature in which we assess the connections between the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine, chronic systemic inflammation, and OA. We also discuss the whole-person approach that lifestyle medicine interventions can provide to reduce chronic systemic inflammation and affect the development or progression of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Prather
- Department of Physiatry, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Cheng
- Department of Physiatry, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
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18
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Schneider V, Norris T, Nugawela M, Dalrymple E, Hargreaves D, Käll A, McOwat K, Shafran R, Stephenson T, Xu L, Pinto Pereira SM. Loneliness Trajectories, Associated Factors and Subsequent Health in Children and Young People During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Matched Cohort Study. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:4461-4477. [PMID: 37936971 PMCID: PMC10626032 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s421165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Loneliness is common amongst children and young people (CYP) and is an independent risk factor for poor health. This study aimed to i) determine whether subgroups of CYP with different loneliness trajectories (during the second year of the pandemic) exist; ii) examine associations with socio-demographic characteristics and subsequent health; and iii) understand whether associations between loneliness and subsequent health were modified by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods A total of 5851 CYP (N=3260 SARS-CoV-2 positive and 2591 SARS-CoV-2 negative) provided data on loneliness (via the validated 3-item version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale for Children) at least twice in a 12-month period post PCR index-testing (conducted October 2020-March 2021). Latent class growth analyses were used to identify distinct classes of loneliness trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify socio-demographic characteristics associated with class membership. Logistic regression models assessed the odds of reporting impairing symptoms 12-months post index-test. Results Four distinct loneliness trajectories were identified: three mostly stable (low, medium, high) and one low-increasing trajectory. Being older, female, living in more deprived areas and testing negative were associated with greater odds of being in the highest vs lowest loneliness trajectory; eg OR for female vs male: 5.6 (95% CI:4.1,7.8); OR for 15-17 vs 11-14 years: 4.5 (95% CI:3.4,6.0). Following higher loneliness trajectories was associated with higher odds of experiencing impairing symptoms 12-months post index-test: ORadjusted (compared to lowest loneliness trajectory) were 15.9 (95% CI:11.9,21.3) (high loneliness), 6.5 (5.3,7.9) (medium loneliness) and 2.3 (1.9,2.8) (low-increasing loneliness). There was no evidence that this association was modified by PCR index-test result. Conclusion About 5.3% of CYP were classified into a group experiencing (chronically) high loneliness. Being female, older and from more deprived areas were risk factors of belonging to this group. Results suggest that even small increases from low loneliness levels may be associated with worse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Schneider
- Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tom Norris
- Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, London, UK
| | - Manjula Nugawela
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emma Dalrymple
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dougal Hargreaves
- Mohn Centre for Children’s Health & Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anton Käll
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Kelsey McOwat
- Immunisation Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Roz Shafran
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Terence Stephenson
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Laila Xu
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - On behalf of CLoCk Consortium members
- Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Mohn Centre for Children’s Health & Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Immunisation Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
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19
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Kanbay M, Tanriover C, Copur S, Peltek IB, Mutlu A, Mallamaci F, Zoccali C. Social isolation and loneliness: Undervalued risk factors for disease states and mortality. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e14032. [PMID: 37218451 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation and loneliness are two common but undervalued conditions associated with a poor quality of life, decreased overall health and mortality. In this review, we aim to discuss the health consequences of social isolation and loneliness. We first provide the potential causes of these two conditions. Then, we explain the pathophysiological processes underlying the effects of social isolation and loneliness in disease states. Afterwards, we explain the important associations between these conditions and different non-communicable diseases, as well as the impact of social isolation and loneliness on health-related behaviours. Finally, we discuss the current and novel potential management strategies for these conditions. Healthcare professionals who attend to socially isolated and/or lonely patients should be fully competent in these conditions and assess their patients thoroughly to detect and properly understand the effects of isolation and loneliness. Patients should be offered education and treatment alternatives through shared decision-making. Future studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms better and to improve the treatment strategies for both social isolation and loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Kanbay
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cem Tanriover
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sidar Copur
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim B Peltek
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ali Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Francesca Mallamaci
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit Azienda Ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" & CNR-IFC, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Research Unit of Clinical Epidemiology and Physiopathology of Renal Diseases and Hypertension of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Carmine Zoccali
- Renal Research Institute, New York City, New York, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (Biogem), Ariano Irpino, Italy and Associazione Ipertensione Nefrologia Trapianto Renal (IPNET), c/o Nefrologia, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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20
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Freilich CD. How does loneliness "get under the skin" to become biologically embedded? BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2023; 68:115-148. [PMID: 37800557 PMCID: PMC10843517 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2023.2260742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness is linked to declining physical health across cardiovascular, inflammatory, metabolic, and cognitive domains. As a result, loneliness is increasingly being recognized as a public health threat, though the mechanisms that have been studied do not yet explain all loneliness-related health risk. Potential mechanisms include loneliness having 1.) direct, causal impacts on health, possibly maintained by epigenetic modification, 2.) indirect effects mediated through health-limiting behaviors, and 3.) artifactual associations perhaps related to genetic overlap and reverse causation. In this scoping review, we examine the evidence surrounding each of these pathways, with a particular emphasis on emerging research on epigenetic effects, in order to evaluate how loneliness becomes biologically embedded. We conclude that there are significant gaps in our knowledge of how psychosocial stress may lead to physiological changes, so more work is needed to understand if, how, and when loneliness has a direct influence on health. Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenocortical axis disruptions that lead to changes in gene expression through methylation and the activity of transcription factor proteins are one promising area of research but are confounded by a number of unmeasured factors. Therefore, wok is needed using causally informative designs, such as twin and family studies and intensively longitudinal diary studies.
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Wang F, Gao Y, Han Z, Yu Y, Long Z, Jiang X, Wu Y, Pei B, Cao Y, Ye J, Wang M, Zhao Y. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 90 cohort studies of social isolation, loneliness and mortality. Nat Hum Behav 2023; 7:1307-1319. [PMID: 37337095 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01617-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The associations between social isolation, loneliness and the risk of mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are controversial. We systematically reviewed prospective studies on the association between social isolation, loneliness and mortality outcomes in adults aged 18 years or older, as well as studies on these relationships in individuals with CVD or cancer, and conducted a meta-analysis. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (reg. no. CRD42022299959). A total of 90 prospective cohort studies including 2,205,199 individuals were included. Here we show that, in the general population, both social isolation and loneliness were significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled effect size for social isolation, 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26 to 1.39; P < 0.001; pooled effect size for loneliness, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.20; P < 0.001) and cancer mortality (pooled effect size for social isolation, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.28; P < 0.001; pooled effect size for loneliness, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.17; P = 0.030). Social isolation also increased the risk of CVD mortality (1.34; 95% CI, 1.25 to 1.44; P < 0.001). There was an increased risk of all-cause mortality in socially isolated individuals with CVD (1.28; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.48; P = 0.001) or breast cancer (1.51; 95% CI, 1.34 to 1.70; P < 0.001), and individuals with breast cancer had a higher cancer-specific mortality owing to social isolation (1.33; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.75; P = 0.038). Greater focus on social isolation and loneliness may help improve people's well-being and mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Han
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Zhiping Long
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Xianchen Jiang
- Department of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Quzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Quzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Bing Pei
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Yukun Cao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Jingyu Ye
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China
| | - Maoqing Wang
- National Key Disciplines of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China.
| | - Yashuang Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China.
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22
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Lee SH, Cole SW, Choi I, Sung K, Kim S, Youm Y, Chey J. Social network position and the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity in older Koreans. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 155:106342. [PMID: 37523898 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social connections are crucial to human health and well-being. Previous research on molecular mechanisms in health has focused primarily on the individual-level perception of social connections (e.g., loneliness). This study adopted socio-centric social network analysis that includes all social ties from the entire population of interest to examine the group-level social connections and their association with a molecular genomic measure of health. METHODS Using socio-centric (global) social network data from an entire village in Korea, we investigated how social network characteristics are related to immune cell gene expression among older adults. Blood samples were collected (N = 53, 65-79 years) and mixed effect linear model analyses were performed to examine the association between social network characteristics and Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) RNA expression patterns. RESULTS Social network positions measured by k-core score, the degree of cohesive core positions in an entire village, were significantly associated with CTRA downregulation. Such associations emerged above and beyond the effects of perceived social isolation (loneliness) and biobehavioral risk factors (smoking, alcohol, BMI, etc.). Social network size, defined as degree centrality, was also associated with reduced CTRA gene expression, but its association mimicked that of perceived social isolation (loneliness). CONCLUSIONS The current findings implicate community-level social network characteristics in the regulation of individual human genome function above and beyond individual-level perceptions of connectedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Ha Lee
- Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, South Korea
| | - Steven W Cole
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Incheol Choi
- Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, South Korea; Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, South Korea
| | - Kiho Sung
- Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, South Korea
| | - Somin Kim
- Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, South Korea
| | - Yoosik Youm
- Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, South Korea.
| | - Jeanyung Chey
- Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, South Korea.
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Pollak C, Verghese J, Blumen H. Loneliness and Functional Decline in Aging: A Systematic Review. Res Gerontol Nurs 2023; 16:202-212. [PMID: 37159388 PMCID: PMC10926714 DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20230503-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness is prevalent in adults aged ≥65 years in the United States and is associated with functional decline. The purpose of the current review was to synthesize evidence on the relationship between loneliness and functional decline using Roy's Adaptation Model as a theoretical framework. A comprehensive review of PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases was performed. Inclusion criteria were samples including adults primarily aged >60 years, peer-reviewed, published in the English language, and included a measure for loneliness and function. A total of 47 studies were analyzed. Most studies examined correlates, risk factors, and predictors of loneliness, rather than the relationship between loneliness and function. Evidence suggests there is bidirectionality in the relationship between loneliness and functional decline. Loneliness is associated with functional decline in aging via multiple possible pathways. Further studies are needed to determine causality and biological mechanisms underlying the relationship. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 16(4), 202-212.].
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24
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Gonda X, Serafini G, Dome P. Fight the Fire: Association of Cytokine Genomic Markers and Suicidal Behavior May Pave the Way for Future Therapies. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1078. [PMID: 37511694 PMCID: PMC10381806 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13071078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The fight against suicide is highly challenging as it may be one of the most complex and, at the same time, most threatening among all psychiatric phenomena. In spite of its huge impact, and despite advances in neurobiology research, understanding and predicting suicide remains a major challenge for both researchers and clinicians. To be able to identify those patients who are likely to engage in suicidal behaviors and identify suicide risk in a reliable and timely manner, we need more specific, novel biological and genetic markers/indicators to develop better screening and diagnostic methods, and in the next step to utilize these molecules as intervention targets. One such potential novel approach is offered by our increasing understanding of the involvement of neuroinflammation based on multiple observations of increased proinflammatory states underlying various psychiatric disorders, including suicidal behavior. The present paper overviews our existing understanding of the association between suicide and inflammation, including peripheral and central biomarkers, genetic and genomic markers, and our current knowledge of intervention in suicide risk using treatments influencing inflammation; also overviewing the next steps to be taken and obstacles to be overcome before we can utilize cytokines in the treatment of suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Gonda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
- NAP3.0-SE Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
- International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry (ICERN), Samara State Medical University, 443079 Samara, Russia
| | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Peter Dome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
- National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, 1135 Budapest, Hungary
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Bateman JR, Krishnamurthy S, Quillen EE, Waugh CE, Kershaw KN, Lockhart SN, Hughes TM, Seeman TE, Cole SW, Craft S. Social genomics, cognition, and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.31.23290618. [PMID: 37333113 PMCID: PMC10274989 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.31.23290618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adverse psychosocial exposure is associated with increased proinflammatory gene expression and reduced type-1 interferon gene expression, a profile known as the conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA). Little is known about CTRA activity in the context of cognitive impairment, although chronic inflammatory activation has been posited as one mechanism contributing to late-life cognitive decline. METHODS We studied 171 community-dwelling older adults from the Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research Center who answered questions via a telephone questionnaire battery about their perceived stress, loneliness, well-being, and impact of COVID-19 on their life, and who provided a self-collected dried blood spot sample. Of those, 148 had adequate samples for mRNA analysis, and 143 were included in the final analysis, which including participants adjudicated as having normal cognition (NC, n = 91) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 52) were included in the analysis. Mixed effect linear models were used to quantify associations between psychosocial variables and CTRA gene expression. RESULTS In both NC and MCI groups, eudaimonic well-being (typically associated with a sense of purpose) was inversely associated with CTRA gene expression whereas hedonic well-being (typically associated with pleasure seeking) was positively associated. In participants with NC, coping through social support was associated with lower CTRA gene expression, whereas coping by distraction and reframing was associated with higher CTRA gene expression. CTRA gene expression was not related to coping strategies for participants with MCI, or to either loneliness or perceived stress in either group. DISCUSSION Eudaimonic and hedonic well-being remain important correlates of molecular markers of stress, even in people with MCI. However, prodromal cognitive decline appears to moderate the significance of coping strategies as a correlate of CTRA gene expression. These results suggest that MCI can selectively alter biobehavioral interactions in ways that could potentially affect the rate of future cognitive decline and may serve as targets for future intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Bateman
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Salisbury VA Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA
| | - Sudarshan Krishnamurthy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ellen E. Quillen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Christian E. Waugh
- Department of Psychology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kiarri N. Kershaw
- Department of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Samuel N. Lockhart
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Timothy M. Hughes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Teresa E. Seeman
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steve W. Cole
- Department of Medicine and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Suzanne Craft
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Phillips DM, Finkel D, Petkus AJ, Muñoz E, Pahlen S, Johnson W, Reynolds CA, Pedersen N. Longitudinal analyses indicate bidirectional associations between loneliness and health. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:1217-1225. [PMID: 35699236 PMCID: PMC11039305 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2087210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate temporal dynamics between loneliness and both objective and subjective health (i.e. functional impairment and self-rated health) in mid- to late-adulthood. METHOD We applied bivariate dual-change-score models to longitudinal data from 3 Swedish twin studies (N = 1,939) to explore dynamic associations between loneliness and health across 3 age ranges (50-69, 70-81, and 82+ years) to investigate whether associations between loneliness and health change with age due to increasing incidence of chronic health conditions and bereavement. RESULTS Results showed bidirectional associations between loneliness and both objective and subjective health, with adverse impacts of loneliness observed on subsequent subjective and objective health beginning at age 70. Associations between health and subsequent loneliness were observed after age 82 and varied for subjective and objective health, with subjective health associated with less loneliness and objective health associated with greater loneliness. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate dynamic associations between loneliness and health with age in mid- to late-adulthood, with earlier impacts of loneliness on health and later impacts of health on loneliness that vary for objective and subjective measures of health. These findings suggest impacts of health on loneliness may arise later in life when worsening health or mobility interfere with social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianna M Phillips
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Deborah Finkel
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, IN, USA
- Institute for Gerontology, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Andrew J Petkus
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Muñoz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Shandell Pahlen
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Johnson
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, The University of Edinburgh
| | | | - Nancy Pedersen
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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27
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Scatà C, Carandina A, Della Torre A, Arosio B, Bellocchi C, Dias Rodrigues G, Furlan L, Tobaldini E, Montano N. Social Isolation: A Narrative Review on the Dangerous Liaison between the Autonomic Nervous System and Inflammation. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1229. [PMID: 37374012 DOI: 10.3390/life13061229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Social isolation and feelings of loneliness are related to higher mortality and morbidity. Evidence from studies conducted during space missions, in space analogs, and during the COVID-19 pandemic underline the possible role of the autonomic nervous system in mediating this relation. Indeed, the activation of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system enhances the cardiovascular response and activates the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes, which leads to a stimulation of inflammatory activation. This response is adaptive in the short term, in that it allows one to cope with a situation perceived as a threat, but in the long term it has detrimental effects on mental and physical health, leading to mood deflection and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as imbalances in immune system activation. The aim of this narrative review is to present the contributions from space studies and insights from the lockdown period on the relationship between social isolation and autonomic nervous system activation, focusing on cardiovascular impairment and immune imbalance. Knowing the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this relationship is important as it enables us to structure effective countermeasures for the new challenges that lie ahead: the lengthening of space missions and Mars exploration, the specter of future pandemics, and the aging of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Scatà
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Angelica Carandina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Della Torre
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Arosio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bellocchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriel Dias Rodrigues
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Ludovico Furlan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Tobaldini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Edelmann S, Wiegand A, Hentrich T, Pasche S, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Munk MHJ, Fallgatter AJ, Kreifelts B, Nieratschker V. Blood transcriptome analysis suggests an indirect molecular association of early life adversities and adult social anxiety disorder by immune-related signal transduction. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1125553. [PMID: 37181876 PMCID: PMC10168183 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1125553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by severe fear in social situations and avoidance of these. Multiple genetic as well as environmental factors contribute to the etiopathology of SAD. One of the main risk factors for SAD is stress, especially during early periods of life (early life adversity; ELA). ELA leads to structural and regulatory alterations contributing to disease vulnerability. This includes the dysregulation of the immune response. However, the molecular link between ELA and the risk for SAD in adulthood remains largely unclear. Evidence is emerging that long-lasting changes of gene expression patterns play an important role in the biological mechanisms linking ELA and SAD. Therefore, we conducted a transcriptome study of SAD and ELA performing RNA sequencing in peripheral blood samples. Analyzing differential gene expression between individuals suffering from SAD with high or low levels of ELA and healthy individuals with high or low levels of ELA, 13 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with respect to SAD while no significant differences in expression were identified with respect to ELA. The most significantly expressed gene was MAPK3 (p = 0.003) being upregulated in the SAD group compared to control individuals. In contrary, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified only modules significantly associated with ELA (p ≤ 0.05), not with SAD. Furthermore, analyzing interaction networks of the genes from the ELA-associated modules and the SAD-related MAPK3 revealed complex interactions of those genes. Gene functional enrichment analyses indicate a role of signal transduction pathways as well as inflammatory responses supporting an involvement of the immune system in the association of ELA and SAD. In conclusion, we did not identify a direct molecular link between ELA and adult SAD by transcriptional changes. However, our data indicate an indirect association of ELA and SAD mediated by the interaction of genes involved in immune-related signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Edelmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ariane Wiegand
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Max Planck Fellow Group Precision Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Faculty NT, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sarah Pasche
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julia Maria Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Faculty NT, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Matthias H. J. Munk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas J. Fallgatter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Kreifelts
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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29
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Benjamin DG, Gummanur P. Loneliness - Cancer of the Mind. Indian J Palliat Care 2023; 29:212-216. [PMID: 37325265 PMCID: PMC10261937 DOI: 10.25259/ijpc_200_2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
World is greying as the proportion of the ageing population increases and the demography is changing both in the developing and developed world. Contact between people is the central part of everyone's life and the glue that holds communities and society together. Lack of social relations is considered to cause loneliness and isolation for the individual and, simultaneously, on a societal level, leads to marginalisation, social disintegration and diminishing trust between people. This has come to sharp focus during the corona pandemic. Meaningful social connections are central to the physical and mental health of human beings. Off late, the deleterious health implication of social isolation and loneliness has increasingly been noticed, with a higher risk of premature death and accelerated risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, depression, and dementia. Worldwide, there is an increasing awareness regarding the alarming consequences of loneliness, especially among older adults. In response, 2018 saw the launch of a UK loneliness strategy and the first minister for loneliness in the world appointed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Priyasha Gummanur
- Department of Geriatrics, Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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30
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Wang J, Zhang WS, Jiang CQ, Zhu F, Jin YL, Thomas GN, Cheng KK, Lam TH, Xu L. Persistence of social isolation and mortality: 10-year follow-up of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort study. Psychiatry Res 2023; 322:115110. [PMID: 36827858 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Although social isolation has been associated with higher mortality risk, the associations of persistence of social isolation with mortality are unclear. We investigated the prospective associations of intermittent and persistent social isolation with all-cause and cause-specific mortality, considering the social contact types (face-to-face and non-face-to-face). 30,518 participants were recruited in 2003-2008 initially and 18,104 participants with re-assessed social isolation information in 2008-2012 were followed up to Dec 2019 in Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS). During an average of 9.7 years of follow-up, 2,119 deaths occurred. The isolation at baseline survey, isolation at second survey and persistent isolation were positively associated with all-cause mortality in the minimal adjusted model (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) =1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.38, 1.11, 1.00-1.23 and 1.23, 1.05-1.43, respectively). Totally 47.2% of the risk was explained by health status, SEP, and biological, behavioural and psychological factors. Persistent isolation from face-to-face with co-inhabitants, versus no isolation, was associated with higher risks of all-cause (HR=1.40, 1.09-1.81) and CVD (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR)=1.92, 1.31-2.81) mortality in fully adjusted model. Our study showed that intermittent and persistent isolation were generally associated with higher risks of mortality, and the risks were even higher in those with persistent face-to-face isolation with co-inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Wang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Sen Zhang
- Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
| | | | - Feng Zhu
- Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya Li Jin
- Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Graham Neil Thomas
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kar Keung Cheng
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tai Hing Lam
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Sol K, Brauer S, Antonucci TC. Longitudinal Associations Between Loneliness and
Self-Rated Health Among Black and White Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:639-648. [PMID: 36571393 PMCID: PMC10066738 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined the longitudinal association between loneliness and self-rated health (SRH), and whether there were race differences between non-Hispanic Black and White adults in these associations. METHOD A total of 1,407 participants were drawn Social Relations Study, a regional study of social relations across the life span with 3 waves of data collection in 1992, 2005, and 2015 (Wave 1, W1: Mage = 50.28, 28% Black, 59% women). Cross-lagged structural equation models examined the association between loneliness and SRH over 3 waves. We adjusted for baseline age, gender, social network size, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS There were no race differences in loneliness at any wave. Loneliness W1 was associated with Loneliness W2; Loneliness W2 was associated with Loneliness W3. We had similar findings for associations among SRH. However, only one of the cross-lagged paths was significant. Worse SRH W2 was associated with more Loneliness W3. The only path that varied across race was in the association between SRH W2 and Loneliness W3, and this path was significant only in Whites. DISCUSSION Findings indicate that worse SRH at later midlife may increase risk for loneliness in later life, particularly for Whites. As a valid indicator of health, SRH can be used in the body of research on health correlates of loneliness as adults age. Use of the current sample of Black and White adults provides nuanced understanding in the ways in which racially diverse adults experience loneliness and should be useful in refining and developing culturally competent interventions for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketlyne Sol
- Social Environment and Health Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Simon Brauer
- Life Course Development Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Toni C Antonucci
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Santiago JA, Quinn JP, Potashkin JA. Co-Expression Network Analysis Identifies Molecular Determinants of Loneliness Associated with Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065909. [PMID: 36982982 PMCID: PMC10058494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness and social isolation are detrimental to mental health and may lead to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. Although several molecular signatures of loneliness have been identified, the molecular mechanisms by which loneliness impacts the brain remain elusive. Here, we performed a bioinformatics approach to untangle the molecular underpinnings associated with loneliness. Co-expression network analysis identified molecular 'switches' responsible for dramatic transcriptional changes in the nucleus accumbens of individuals with known loneliness. Loneliness-related switch genes were enriched in cell cycle, cancer, TGF-β, FOXO, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. Analysis stratified by sex identified switch genes in males with chronic loneliness. Male-specific switch genes were enriched in infection, innate immunity, and cancer-related pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that loneliness-related switch genes significantly overlapped with 82% and 68% of human studies on Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD), respectively, in gene expression databases. Loneliness-related switch genes, BCAM, NECTIN2, NPAS3, RBM38, PELI1, DPP10, and ASGR2, have been identified as genetic risk factors for AD. Likewise, switch genes HLA-DRB5, ALDOA, and GPNMB are known genetic loci in PD. Similarly, loneliness-related switch genes overlapped in 70% and 64% of human studies on major depressive disorder and schizophrenia, respectively. Nine switch genes, HLA-DRB5, ARHGAP15, COL4A1, RBM38, DMD, LGALS3BP, WSCD2, CYTH4, and CNTRL, overlapped with known genetic variants in depression. Seven switch genes, NPAS3, ARHGAP15, LGALS3BP, DPP10, SMYD3, CPXCR1, and HLA-DRB5 were associated with known risk factors for schizophrenia. Collectively, we identified molecular determinants of loneliness and dysregulated pathways in the brain of non-demented adults. The association of switch genes with known risk factors for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases provides a molecular explanation for the observed prevalence of these diseases among lonely individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Judith A Potashkin
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Therapeutics, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Department, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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Ahmed M, Cerda I, Maloof M. Breaking the vicious cycle: The interplay between loneliness, metabolic illness, and mental health. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1134865. [PMID: 36970267 PMCID: PMC10030736 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1134865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness, or perceived social isolation, is a leading predictor of all-cause mortality and is increasingly considered a public health epidemic afflicting significant portions of the general population. Chronic loneliness is itself associated with two of the most pressing public health epidemics currently facing the globe: the rise of mental illness and metabolic health disorders. Here, we highlight the epidemiological associations between loneliness and mental and metabolic health disorders and argue that loneliness contributes to the etiology of these conditions by acting as a chronic stressor that leads to neuroendocrine dysregulation and downstream immunometabolic consequences that manifest in disease. Specifically, we describe how loneliness can lead to overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and ultimately cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which is implicated in mental and metabolic disease. These conditions can, in turn, lead to further social isolation and propel a vicious cycle of chronic illness. Finally, we outline interventions and policy recommendations that can reduce loneliness at both the individual and community levels. Given its role in the etiology of the most prevalent chronic diseases of our time, focusing resources on alleviating loneliness is a vitally important and cost-effective public health strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhal Ahmed
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Minhal Ahmed,
| | - Ivo Cerda
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Ivo Cerda,
| | - Molly Maloof
- Adamo Bioscience, Inc., Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
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Owusu-Brackett N, Chen JC, Li Y, Fisher JL, Bhattacharyya O, Obeng-Gyasi S. Examining racial differences in treatment and survival among patients with Paget's disease of the breast. Surgery 2023; 173:619-625. [PMID: 36273972 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate racial differences in treatment (ie, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation) and survival among patients with Paget's disease of the breast in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result program. METHODS Women >18 years old diagnosed with localized or regional Paget's disease between January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2016 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result program were included. The cohort was divided into Black and White patients. Univariable analysis compared the groups. Using propensity score matching, Black and White patients were nearest matched (1:2) on age at diagnosis; Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result summary stage; surgery; chemotherapy; and year of diagnosis. The log-rank test evaluated the matched sample's overall survival and disease-specific survival. RESULTS Of the 1,181 patients, the racial distribution was 1,049 (88.8%) White and 132 (11.2%) Black. A higher percentage of Black women were Medicaid insured (Black 25.8% vs White 11.1%), lived in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status (Black 53.0% vs White 25.4%), and had regional disease than White women (Black 41.7% vs White 29%). There were no racial differences in receipt of radiation therapy (P = .90), breast surgery (P = .23), or axillary surgery (P = .25). Black patients were more likely to receive chemotherapy (Black 34.8% vs White 26.3% P = .038). In the propensity matched cohort, Black patients had a worse overall survival (P < .005) and disease-specific survival (P = .05) than White patients. CONCLUSION In this cohort of patients with Paget's disease, despite differences in sociodemographic factors, there were no disparities in locoregional treatment. However, on matched analysis, Black patients had a worse overall survival and disease-specific survival than their White counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicci Owusu-Brackett
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - J C Chen
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH. https://twitter.com/JCChenMD
| | - Yaming Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburg, PA
| | - James L Fisher
- James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH
| | | | - Samilia Obeng-Gyasi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH.
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O'Brien JR, Loi EC, Byrne ML, Zalewski M, Casement MD. The Link Between Positive and Negative Parenting Behaviors and Child Inflammation: A Systematic Review. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023; 54:51-65. [PMID: 34347228 PMCID: PMC8814056 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01224-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Children's inflammation may be an important link between parenting behaviors and health outcomes. The aims of this systematic review were to: (1) describe associations between parenting behaviors and child inflammatory markers, and (2) evaluate the relevance of existing literature to the review question. Database searches identified 19 studies that included a measure of positive or negative parenting behaviors and a marker of child inflammation, 53% of which measured parental responsiveness/warmth. Greater parental responsiveness/warmth was associated with lower levels of child pro-inflammatory markers in 60% of studies. Across studies, the association between parenting and child inflammation varied as a function of parenting construct, inflammatory measure, and sample characteristics. Studies were highly relevant, with 42% rated 5 + out of 6 for study's ability to address links between parenting behavior and child inflammation. If future research uncovers causal effects of parenting behaviors on inflammation, parenting interventions could be employed as a preventative tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline R O'Brien
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, 1451 Onyx Street, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
| | - Elizabeth C Loi
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, 1451 Onyx Street, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Michelle L Byrne
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, 1451 Onyx Street, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maureen Zalewski
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, 1451 Onyx Street, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Melynda D Casement
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, 1451 Onyx Street, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
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Proteome analysis of monocytes implicates altered mitochondrial biology in adults reporting adverse childhood experiences. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:31. [PMID: 36720844 PMCID: PMC9889346 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02320-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The experience of adversity in childhood has been associated with poor health outcomes in adulthood. In search of the biological mechanisms underlying these effects, research so far focused on alterations of DNA methylation or shifts in transcriptomic profiles. The level of protein, however, has been largely neglected. We utilized mass spectrometry to investigate the proteome of CD14+ monocytes in healthy adults reporting childhood adversity and a control group before and after psychosocial stress exposure. Particular proteins involved in (i) immune processes, such as neutrophil-related proteins, (ii) protein metabolism, or (iii) proteins related to mitochondrial biology, such as those involved in energy production processes, were upregulated in participants reporting exposure to adversity in childhood. This functional triad was further corroborated by protein interaction- and co-expression analyses, was independent of stress exposure, i.e. observed at both pre- and post-stress time points, and became evident especially in females. In line with the mitochondrial allostatic load model, our findings provide evidence for the long-term effects of childhood adversity on mitochondrial biology.
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Cardona M, Andrés P. Are social isolation and loneliness associated with cognitive decline in ageing? Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1075563. [PMID: 36909946 PMCID: PMC9995915 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1075563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poor health (immunity, inflammation, etc.) in ageing. The purpose of this scoping review was to investigate the link between social isolation, loneliness (as distinct constructs, in contrast to previous published work) and cognition in cognitively healthy older adults. Method We followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Our search, conducted between January 2017 and April 2021, yielded 2,673 articles, of which, twelve longitudinal studies were finally identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Multiple cognitive functions (short-term and episodic memory, attention, and global cognitive functioning) were measured. Results The results showed that both social isolation and loneliness were associated with poor cognition in ageing, with depression as a possible mediator between loneliness and poor cognition. Some studies also suggested that the link between social isolation, loneliness and cognitive decline may be bidirectional. Conclusion We conclude that both social isolation and loneliness may have a different impact on cognition. While depression may be an important mediator between loneliness and cognitive decline, the lack of cognitive stimulation may be a greater mediator between social isolation and cognitive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margalida Cardona
- Neuropsychology and Cognition Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Pilar Andrés
- Neuropsychology and Cognition Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.,Research Institute (IdISBa), Palma de Mallorca, Spain.,Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Fleischman DA, Arfanakis K, Zhang S, Leurgans SE, Barnes LL, Bennett DA, Marquez DX, Lamar M. Acculturation in Context and Brain Health in Older Latino Adults: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:1585-1595. [PMID: 37718813 PMCID: PMC10599486 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Latinos are at higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease than non-Latino Whites. Acculturation factors may influence this risk, yet there are few studies that have examined associations of acculturation, particularly in the context of socioenvironmental and familial factors, and brain health in older Latinos. OBJECTIVE To examine potential associations between acculturation in context and brain health in older Latinos. METHODS Using three previously established composites of acculturation-in-context, (acculturation-related: nativity status, language preference, acculturation scores; contextually-related socioenvironmental: perceived discrimination, loneliness/social isolation, social network size; and familism), and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI), associations with white matter structural integrity were examined in 92 Latino adults without dementia participating in one of three epidemiological studies of aging. Linear regression models were used to test associations with DTI-derived metrics (fractional anisotropy, FA; trace) as separate outcomes and acculturation composite scores as individual predictors, while adjusting for age, sex, education, scanner, and white matter hyperintensities (voxelwise and total volumes normalized by intracranial volume). RESULTS Higher scores on the socioenvironmental composite were associated with lower FA in two clusters of left-hemisphere connections. Cluster 1 was dominated by both short association pathways connecting frontal regions and projection pathways connecting frontal regions with the thalamus. Cluster 2 was dominated by long association pathways connecting parietal, frontal, and temporal regions. CONCLUSIONS This study of older Latino adults demonstrated an association between reduced brain white matter integrity and contextually related socioenvironmental experiences known to increase risk of MCI and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra A. Fleischman
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Konstantinos Arfanakis
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sue E. Leurgans
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lisa L. Barnes
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A. Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David X. Marquez
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Melissa Lamar
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Fedurek P, Lacroix L, Aktipis A, Cronk L, Makambi J, Mabulla I, Lehmann J, Berbesque JC. Relationship between proximity and physiological stress levels in hunter-gatherers: The Hadza. Horm Behav 2023; 147:105294. [PMID: 36521419 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In recent years there has been a great deal of documentation on how social relationships are related to various aspects of human wellbeing. However, until recently most studies investigating the effects of social relationships on wellbeing have applied social network measures to reported social contacts. Recent advances in the application of bio-loggers in biological studies have now made it possible to quantify social relationships based on in-person, rather than self-reported, social interactions. We used GPS-derived in-camp and out-of-camp proximity data to analyse how in-person proximity is related to Hair Cortisol Concentration (HCC) among Hadza hunter-gatherers. Time spent in close proximity to other camp members was associated with higher HCC, especially in women. In contrast, individuals who spent more time in close out-of-camp proximity to their best friend experienced lower HCC. Our study suggests that physiological costs related to group living might be mitigated by in-person interactions with close friends. We also find that the location (i.e., in-camp vs out-of-camp) of proximity to others and self-perceived friends is associated with HCC among the Hadza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Fedurek
- Anthropology Programme, University of Roehampton, London, UK; Department of Anthropology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Laurent Lacroix
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | - Athena Aktipis
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Lee Cronk
- Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jerryson Makambi
- Mount Meru Tour Guide and International Language School, Arusha, Tanzania
| | | | - Julia Lehmann
- Anthropology Programme, University of Roehampton, London, UK
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Loneliness in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Neglected Factor in Accelerated Aging? JOURNAL OF AGEING AND LONGEVITY 2022; 2:326-339. [PMID: 36567873 PMCID: PMC9783482 DOI: 10.3390/jal2040027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prior research suggests that people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may experience a form of accelerated biological aging. In other populations, loneliness has been shown to elevate risk for many of the same components of accelerated biological aging, and other deleterious outcomes, as seen in people with PTSD. Although standard diagnostic criteria for PTSD include "feelings of detachment or estrangement from others", the relationship of such feelings to the concept of loneliness remains uncertain, in par potentially due to a failure to distinguish between loneliness versus objective social isolation. In order to catalyze wider research attention to loneliness in PTSD, and the potential contribution to accelerated biological aging, the present paper provides three components: (1) a conceptual overview of the relevant constructs and potential interrelationships, (2) a review of the limited extant empirical literature, and (3) suggested directions for future research. The existing empirical literature is too small to support many definitive conclusions, but there is evidence of an association between loneliness and symptoms of PTSD. The nature of this association may be complex, and the causal direction(s) uncertain. Guided by the conceptual overview and review of existing literature, we also highlight key areas for further research. The ultimate goal of this line of work is to elucidate mechanisms underlying any link between loneliness and accelerated aging in PTSD, and to develop, validate, and refine prevention and treatment efforts.
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Delgado-Losada ML, Bouhaben J, Arroyo-Pardo E, Aparicio A, López-Parra AM. Loneliness, Depression, and Genetics in the Elderly: Prognostic Factors of a Worse Health Condition? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15456. [PMID: 36497531 PMCID: PMC9739711 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness is considered a prognostic factor for poorer health status in the elderly. It is proposed to analyze the role of loneliness in health status in terms of various factors. A total of 1747 individuals from the pilot survey of the Aging in Spain Longitudinal Study (ELES-PS) were reviewed. ELES is a cross-sectional study for collecting health variables, food habits, socioeconomic data, and cognitive and functional capacities, which was carried out on a Spanish representative sample of noninstitutionalized persons of 50 years of age or older. Moreover, since telomere shortening is associated with cellular senescence, 35 telomere-related SNPs and cognitive impairments were analyzed. The results characterize the "solos" as males of 50-60 years, who were overweight and had lower levels of hemoglobin and neutrophils. There is also an association between five SNPs related to telomere length and BDNF. A group of people with loneliness and depression was identified with poorer health and cognitive status, poorer perception of their quality of life, poorer quality of sleep, and lower physical activity. Therefore, it follows that telomeres and BDNF play a role as intermediaries between loneliness and depression and their relationship with a worse state of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luisa Delgado-Losada
- Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Processes and Speech Therapy Department, Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
- Group of Neurosciences: Psychoneuroendocrinology, Neuroimaging and Molecular Genetics in Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Hospital Clínico de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- UCM Research Group: VALORNUT-920030, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Bouhaben
- Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Processes and Speech Therapy Department, Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Eduardo Arroyo-Pardo
- Laboratory of Forensic and Population Genetics, Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Group of Forensic Sciences: Forensic Genetics and Toxicology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Hospital Clínico de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Aparicio
- Group of Neurosciences: Psychoneuroendocrinology, Neuroimaging and Molecular Genetics in Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Hospital Clínico de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- UCM Research Group: VALORNUT-920030, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana María López-Parra
- Laboratory of Forensic and Population Genetics, Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology Department, Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Group of Forensic Sciences: Forensic Genetics and Toxicology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Hospital Clínico de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Biltz RG, Sawicki CM, Sheridan JF, Godbout JP. The neuroimmunology of social-stress-induced sensitization. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:1527-1535. [PMID: 36369271 PMCID: PMC10000282 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01321-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Myriad clinical findings provide links between chronic stressors, inflammation, and mood disorders. Furthermore, traumatic or chronic exposure to psychological stressors may promote stress sensitization, in which individuals have long-term complications, including increased vulnerability to subsequent stressors. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a clinically relevant example of stress sensitization. PTSD alters neuronal circuitry and mood; however, the mechanisms underlying long-term stress sensitization within this disorder are unclear. Rodent models of chronic social defeat recapitulate several key physiological, immunological, and behavioral responses associated with psychological stress in humans. Repeated social defeat (RSD) uniquely promotes the convergence of neuronal, central inflammatory (microglial), and peripheral immune (monocyte) pathways, leading to prolonged anxiety, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment. Moreover, RSD promotes stress sensitization, in which mice are highly sensitive to subthreshold stress exposure and recurrence of anxiety weeks after the cessation of stress. Therefore, the purpose of this Review is to discuss the influence of social-defeat stress on the immune system that may underlie stress sensitization within three key cellular compartments: neurons, microglia, and monocytes. Delineating the mechanisms of stress sensitization is critical in understanding and treating conditions such as PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G Biltz
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Caroline M Sawicki
- Division of Biosciences, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John F Sheridan
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Division of Biosciences, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Chronic Brain Injury Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Jonathan P Godbout
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Chronic Brain Injury Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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The genomic impact of kindness to self vs. others: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 106:40-48. [PMID: 35905861 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.07.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prosocial behavior has been linked to improved physical health, but the biological mechanisms involved remain unclear. This study tested whether a 4-week kindness intervention could reduce expression of a stress-related immune response gene signature known as the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA). METHODS In a diverse sample of community adults (N = 182), study participants were randomly assigned to perform 3 kind acts for other people, to perform 3 kind acts for themselves, or to list daily activities (control), on one day per week over 4 weeks. CTRA gene expression was measured by RNA sequencing of dried blood spots (DBS) collected at baseline and 5 weeks later (1 week after completing study assignments). Participants' descriptions of their kind acts were coded for protocol adherence and act content. RESULTS Participants who were randomized to perform kind acts for others showed significant reductions in CTRA gene expression relative to controls. Participants who were randomized to perform kind acts for themselves also showed significant reductions in CTRA gene expression relative to controls, but this pattern emerged only for those who failed to perform the requested self-kind acts (protocol non-adherent). Those who fully adhered to the self-kindness protocol showed no change in CTRA gene expression and did not differ from controls. Act content analyses implicated self-stress-reducing behavior in the paradoxical effects of self-kindness and the physical presence of others in the effects of prosocial behavior. CONCLUSIONS Prosocial engagement-doing something kind for others rather than oneself-reduces CTRA gene expression. The nature of kind acts and their intended recipient plays a key role in shaping the genomic impact of kindness.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear which psychological factors (stressors, emotional correlates, and psychophysiological markers) induce cancer risk. This currently limits the potential for prevention strategies. PURPOSE The aim of this review is to bring forth evidence of stress as a determinant of cancer risk from a public health perspective, written for a broad public of practitioners and scientists. METHODS Based on a semisystematic literature search, the impact of different aspects/types of stress and the potential physiological and behavioral pathways are summarized, while highlighting further research, public health and clinical implications. RESULTS Between 2007 and 2020, 65 case-control or cohort studies have been identified. Apart from overall cancer ( N = 24), 12 cancer types have been associated with psychological stress with most for breast ( N = 21), colorectal ( N = 11) and lung/prostate/pancreas cancer ( N = 8 each). Although the evidence regarding the mechanisms is still scarce, cancer development in relation to stress might be due to interacting and combined effects of different stress(or) types, but such interaction has not really been tested yet. The path from stress towards cancer incidence consists of a biological pathway with endocrinology and immunology as well as stress-induced behavioral pathways, including smoking, alcoholism, sleep disruption, an unhealthy diet, and low physical activity together with the related phenomenon of obesity. CONCLUSION Not only the stress but also the stress-induced lifestyle should be targeted for cancer prevention and treatment. Future research should include a more diverse spectrum of cancer types (not only hormonal related like breast cancer) and of stress measures while also considering behavioral covariates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananyaa Mohan
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Inge Huybrechts
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Nutrition and Metabolism Section, Lyon, France and Departments of
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Public Health and Primary Care
- Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Jackson NA, Jabbi MM. Integrating biobehavioral information to predict mood disorder suicide risk. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 24:100495. [PMID: 35990401 PMCID: PMC9388879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The will to live and the ability to maintain one's well-being are crucial for survival. Yet, almost a million people die by suicide globally each year (Aleman and Denys, 2014), making premature deaths due to suicide a significant public health problem (Saxena et al., 2013). The expression of suicidal behaviors is a complex phenotype with documented biological, psychological, clinical, and sociocultural risk factors (Turecki et al., 2019). From a brain disease perspective, suicide is associated with neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neurochemical dysregulations of brain networks involved in integrating and contextualizing cognitive and emotional regulatory behaviors. From a symptom perspective, diagnostic measures of dysregulated mood states like major depressive symptoms are associated with over sixty percent of suicide deaths worldwide (Saxena et al., 2013). This paper reviews the neurobiological and clinical phenotypic correlates for mood dysregulations and suicidal phenotypes. We further propose machine learning approaches to integrate neurobiological measures with dysregulated mood symptoms to elucidate the role of inflammatory processes as neurobiological risk factors for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Jackson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
| | - Mbemba M. Jabbi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
- Mulva Clinics for the Neurosciences
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
- Center for Learning and Memory, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
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Snodgrass JG, Bendeck S, Zhao KX, Sagstetter S, Lacy MG, Nixon C, Branstrator JR, Arevalo JMG, Cole SW. Social connection and gene regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Divergent patterns for online and in-person interaction. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 144:105885. [PMID: 35961191 PMCID: PMC9335856 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social connection has been linked to reduced disease risk and enhanced antiviral immunity, but it is unclear whether online social connections have similar effects to those previously documented for in-person/offline social relationships, or whether online connections can substitute for in-person social relations when the latter are restricted. We examined this question in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing specifically on an immune system gene regulation profile known as the conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), which is characterized by up-regulation of proinflammatory genes and down-regulation of genes linked to innate antiviral responses and antibody production. METHODS We analyzed CTRA RNA profiles in blood samples from 142 healthy young adults (69% female, 87% white) during the "social distancing" period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mixed effect linear models quantified the relation of CTRA gene expression to measures of in-person social connection (number of friends, social eudaimonia, loneliness) and online psychosocial connection (online loneliness, perceived social value in online leisure and educational contexts, and internet use) while controlling for demographic and health factors. RESULTS Multiple indicators of in-person and generalized social connection were associated with lower CTRA gene expression, whereas no measure of online social connection showed any significant association with CTRA gene expression. CONCLUSION Experiences of in-person social connection are associated with reduced CTRA gene expression during a period of restricted social interaction. In contrast, online social relationships show no such association. Digitally mediated social relations do not appear to substantially offset the absence of in-person/offline social connection in the context of immune cell gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey G Snodgrass
- Department of Anthropology and Geography, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1787, USA.
| | - Shawna Bendeck
- Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1784, USA
| | - Katya Xinyi Zhao
- Department of Anthropology and Geography, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1787, USA
| | - Seth Sagstetter
- Department of Anthropology and Geography, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1787, USA
| | - Michael G Lacy
- Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1784, USA
| | - Cody Nixon
- Department of Anthropology and Geography, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1787, USA
| | - Julia R Branstrator
- Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Jesusa M G Arevalo
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Steven W Cole
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Wei D, Tsheringla S, McPartland JC, Allsop AZASA. Combinatorial approaches for treating neuropsychiatric social impairment. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210051. [PMID: 35858103 PMCID: PMC9274330 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Social behaviour is an essential component of human life and deficits in social function are seen across multiple psychiatric conditions with high morbidity. However, there are currently no FDA-approved treatments for social dysfunction. Since social cognition and behaviour rely on multiple signalling processes acting in concert across various neural networks, treatments aimed at social function may inherently require a combinatorial approach. Here, we describe the social neurobiology of the oxytocin and endocannabinoid signalling systems as well as translational evidence for their use in treating symptoms in the social domain. We leverage this systems neurobiology to propose a network-based framework that involves pharmacology, psychotherapy, non-invasive brain stimulation and social skills training to combinatorially target trans-diagnostic social impairment. Lastly, we discuss the combined use of oxytocin and endocannabinoids within our proposed framework as an illustrative strategy to treat specific aspects of social function. Using this framework provides a roadmap for actionable treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric social impairment. This article is part of the theme issue 'Interplays between oxytocin and other neuromodulators in shaping complex social behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don Wei
- Department of Psychiatry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Social Environment as a Modulator of Immunosenescence. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:e29. [PMID: 35912691 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Polsky LR, Rentscher KE, Carroll JE. Stress-induced biological aging: A review and guide for research priorities. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 104:97-109. [PMID: 35661679 PMCID: PMC10243290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to chronic adverse conditions, and the resultant activation of the neurobiological response cascade, has been associated with an increased risk of early onset of age-related disease and, recently, with an older biological age. This body of research has led to the hypothesis that exposure to stressful life experiences, when occurring repeatedly or over a prolonged period, may accelerate the rate at which the body ages. The mechanisms through which chronic psychosocial stress influences distinct biological aging pathways to alter rates of aging likely involve multiple layers in the physiological-molecular network. In this review, we integrate research using animal, human, and in vitro models to begin to delineate the distinct pathways through which chronic psychosocial stress may impact biological aging, as well as the neuroendocrine mediators (i.e., norepinephrine, epinephrine, and glucocorticoids) that may drive these effects. Findings highlight key connections between stress and aging, namely cellular metabolic activity, DNA damage, telomere length, cellular senescence, and inflammatory response patterns. We conclude with a guiding framework and conceptual model that outlines the most promising biological pathways by which chronic adverse conditions could accelerate aging and point to key missing gaps in knowledge where future research could best answer these pressing questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian R Polsky
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Kelly E Rentscher
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, United States.
| | - Judith E Carroll
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
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50
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Sha S, Pan Y, Xu Y, Chen L. Associations between loneliness and frailty among older adults: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:537. [PMID: 35773656 PMCID: PMC9247968 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03044-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have demonstrated the associations between loneliness and frailty in late life. However, there is a lack of consensus on the direction of the relationship. The present study aimed to examine the interdependencies between loneliness and frailty over time. Methods Data on participants aged 60 years old and above were collected from the 2011, 2013, and 2015 samples of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Loneliness was measured by a single question from the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, and frailty was assessed by the Physical Frailty Phenotype (PFP) scale. Cross-lagged panel models were utilized to examine the potential bidirectional relationship between loneliness and frailty. Results Reciprocal associations were found between loneliness and frailty. Furthermore, we found that baseline frailty and early change in frailty had a significant predictive effect on late change in loneliness. Higher baseline loneliness in older adults may create a potentially vicious cycle that influenced early change in frailty and continued to cause late change in loneliness. Conclusion A bidirectional relationship may exist between loneliness and frailty among older Chinese adults over 60 years old. Lonely older adults should be alerted to the potential self-reinforcing cycle of loneliness that affects their health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03044-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Sha
- School of Sociology and Population Studies, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Pan
- School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuebin Xu
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, China.
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