scholarly journals Loneliness and the social brain: how perceived social isolation impairs human interactions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Lieberz ◽  
Simone G. Shamay-Tsoory ◽  
Nira Saporta ◽  
Timo Esser ◽  
Ekaterina Kuskova ◽  
...  

AbstractLoneliness is a painful condition associated with increased risk for premature mortality. The formation of new, positive social relationships can alleviate feelings of loneliness, but requires rapid trustworthiness decisions during initial encounters and it is still unclear how loneliness hinders interpersonal trust. Here, we use a multimodal approach including behavioral, psychophysiological, hormonal, and neuroimaging measurements to probe a trust-based mechanism underlying impaired social interactions in loneliness. Pre-stratified healthy individuals with high loneliness scores (n = 42 out of a screened sample of 3678 adults) show reduced oxytocinergic and affective responsiveness to a positive conversation, report less interpersonal trust, and prefer larger social distances compared to controls (n = 40). Moreover, lonely individuals are rated as less trustworthy compared to controls and identified by the blinded confederate better than chance. During initial trust decisions, lonely individuals exhibit attenuated limbic and striatal activation and blunted functional connectivity between the anterior insula and occipitoparietal regions, which correlates with the diminished affective responsiveness to the positive social interaction. This neural response pattern is not mediated by loneliness-associated psychological symptoms. Thus, our results indicate compromised integration of trust-related information as a shared neurobiological component in loneliness, yielding a reciprocally reinforced trust bias in social dyads.

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Valerie Taylor ◽  
Glenda M. MacQueen

Bipolar disorder and major depression are life-shortening illnesses. Unnatural causes such as suicide and accidents account for only a portion of this premature mortality1 Research is beginning to identify that mood disordered patients have a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome, an illness characterized by dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and obesity.2 Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk for a variety of physical illnesses. Hypothesis: Never treated patients with mood disorders have preexisting elevations in the prevalence of the component variables of metabolic syndrome. Central obesity will be especially elevated, predicting increased premature mortality. Methods: We assessed never treated patients with mood disorders for metabolic syndrome and its component variables. Patients were assessed at baseline and followed up at 6-month intervals. All psychiatric pharmacotherapy was documented. Body mass index (BMI) was also obtained and the percentage of deaths attributable to overweight and obesity was calculated using the population attributable risk (PAR). [PAR= ∑[P (RR-1)/RR] Results: Prior to the initiation of treatment, patients did not differ from population norms with respect to metabolic syndrome or BMI. At 2-year follow-up, BMI had increased for unipolar patients 2.02 points and 1.92 points for bipolar patients. (p < .001) This increase in BMI predicted an increase in mortality of 19.4%. Conclusion: An increase in visceral obesity is often the first component of metabolic syndrome to appear and may indicate the initiation of this disease process prematurely in this group. The increase in BMI places patients with mood disorders at risk for premature mortality and indicates a need for early intervention. References 1.Osby U, Brandt L, Correia N, Ekbom A & Sparen P. Excess mortability in bipolar and Unipolar disorder rin Sweden. Archives of General Psychiatry, 2001;58: 844-850 2.Toalson P, Saeeduddin A, Hardy T & Kabinoff G. The metabolic syndrome in patients with severe mental illness. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2004; 6(4): 152-158


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo ◽  
Jose Lopez-Lopez ◽  
Daniel Cohen ◽  
Natalia Alarcon-Ariza ◽  
Margarita Mogollon-Zehr

: Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are two important risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. In Latin America hypertension prevalence varies from 30 to 50%. Moreover, the proportion of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension is very low. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus varies from 8 to 13% and near to 40% are unaware of their condition. In addition, the prevalence of prediabetes varies from 6 to 14% and this condition has been also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The principal factors linked to a higher risk of hypertension in Latin America are increased adiposity, low muscle strength, unhealthy diet, low physical activity and low education. Besides being chronic conditions, leading causes of cardiovascular mortality, both hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus represent a substantial cost for the weak health systems of Latin American countries. Therefore, is necessary to implement and reinforce public health programs to improve awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, in order to reach the mandate of the Unit Nations of decrease the premature mortality for CVD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Hutchinson ◽  
Martin Isaacs ◽  
Lucy Chamberlain ◽  
Karen Harrison Dening

Background: The veteran community are at increased risk of poor mental health and developing dementia as a result of their miliary service, with the potential to lead to delayed onset post-traumatic stress disorder (DOPTSD). The manifestation of DOPTSD may be misinterpreted as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which create difficulties in caring for the person experiencing these distressing symptoms. Aims: This paper details the development of a screening tool for people with dementia, which aims to reframe and contextualise some of the behaviours under the lens of historic traumatic events. Methods: The utility of the screening tool is demonstrated through the presentation and an analysis of an anonymised case study to support nurse practice development. Conclusions: A trauma history tool offers a more comprehensive and interpretive view of the possible historic, trauma-related causes of current behaviours and can aid informal carers' understanding of the stress and distress reactions of their family members.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (22) ◽  
pp. 1333-1340
Author(s):  
Helena Boyer ◽  
Gerri Mortimore

Vasculitis is a relatively rare and poorly understood condition causing inflammation of the blood vessels, which in turn can affect a patient's respiratory and renal systems. In some cases, ocular involvement can cause loss of sight and hearing loss may also be a red flag for vasculitis, which, if not treated early, can cause complete hearing loss. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group comprising granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis (EGP). AAV is fatal if untreated and as increased risk escalates with age, coupled with a decline in renal function, these are the principal predictors of poor outcome. Vital roles for nursing vasculitis patients lie in managing inflammation and pain, as these distressing symptoms are prevalent in the disease. Because of the multiple complications that can occur with vasculitis, treatment-related information is a high priority for these patients. As nurses are well placed to deliver information, value lies in their role in reducing the negative impacts on treatment regimens and compliance that accompany patients' poor insight into their condition.


Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Reingle Gonzalez ◽  
Katelyn K. Jetelina ◽  
Stephen A. Bishopp ◽  
Melvin D. Livingston ◽  
Rodolfo A. Perez ◽  
...  

Purpose Law enforcement officers (LEOs) suffer from premature mortality, intentional and unintentional injury, suicide and are at an increased risk for several non-communicable disease outcomes including cardiovascular disease and several cancers, compared to those employed in other occupations. Repeated exposure to stressful and traumatic stimuli is a possible mechanism driving these adverse health outcomes among LEOs. To better identify the sources of these health problems, the purpose of this paper is to determine the feasibility of conducting a cohort study using physiological measures of stress (e.g. heart rate) with LEOs; perceptions of the FitBit device, including LEO buy-in and attitudes associated with the protocol. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from ten recent graduates of the Dallas Police Training Academy. Findings Results suggest that officer buy-in and protocol compliance was high. Officers were eager to participate in this study, and completion of weekly surveys was 100 percent. Minute-level missing data from wearable devices was relatively low (25 percent), and 90 percent of participants wore the FitBit devices on more than 90 percent of study days. Originality/value Results from this study suggest that wearable physiological devices can be effectively used in law enforcement populations to measure stress.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-543
Author(s):  
Donald R McCreary ◽  
John L Oliffe ◽  
Nick Black ◽  
Ryan Flannigan ◽  
Joe Rachert ◽  
...  

AbstractMen are at high risk for both morbidity and premature mortality from several of the most common serious diseases. Although numerous factors have been identified to explain men’s risk, this study focused on the relationship between lifestyle behaviors, health-related self-stigma and masculine role norms. An age and location stratified sample of 2000 Canadian men completed measures assessing five lifestyle behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, sleep, diet and exercise), a screen for depression, and measures of self-stigma and masculine role norms. The results showed that elements of both health-related self-stigma and masculine role norms were associated with increased risk for being above the clinical threshold for four of the lifestyle behaviors and depression. The most frequent and largest relationships were associated with exercise and depression. The total number of lifestyle behaviors for which participants were above the clinical cut-points was also associated with self-stigma and masculine role norms. These findings demonstrate the importance of health-related self-stigma and masculine role norms as potential barriers to men’s health and well-being.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S735-S735
Author(s):  
Luigi Ferrucci ◽  
Shabnam Salimi ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci

Abstract Any stimulus that endangers body integrity (stressor) results in an adaptive response to resolve stressful state and determine adaptive or and maladaptive responses. Both chronic extrinsic and intrinsic stressors can produce long-lasting, epigenetic changes in various organs that can eventually result in accelerated changes in bio-physio-pathology. There is initial evidence that stress response involves mechanisms of the epigenetic basis of adaptation and stress response to biological aging and chronic diseases. With aging, homeostasis stability declines causing augmented vulnerability to the external and internal stress. Individuals in whom vulnerability trespass a certain threshold experience accelerated aging and deterioration of health and/ or “secondary aging” phenomena such as premature mortality. Because of substantial heterogeneity of the rate of decline in homeostatic stability, there is inter-individual variability in the age of appearance of chronic diseases and the increased risk of disability and mortality. Thus, tools for the quantification of a stress response would be clinically valuable. Therefore, this symposium suggests approaches to study the epigenetic basis of molecular adaptations across various age, organs’ health-span, and life-span.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Raquel López-Mejías ◽  
Mercedes García-Bermúdez ◽  
Carlos González-Juanatey ◽  
Miguel A. González-Gay ◽  
...  

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of premature mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is the result of an accelerated atherosclerotic process. Both RA and atherosclerosis are complex polygenic diseases. Besides traditional CV risk factors and chronic inflammation, a number of studies have confirmed the role of genetic factors in the development of the atherogenesis observed in RA. In this regard, besides a strong association between theHLA-DRB1*04shared epitope alleles and both endothelial dysfunction, an early step in the atherosclerotic process, and clinically evident CV disease, other polymorphisms belonging to genes implicated in inflammatory and metabolic pathways, located inside and outside the HLA region, such as the 308 variant (G>A, rs1800629) of theTNFAlocus, the rs1801131 polymorphism (A>C; position + 1298) of theMTHFRlocus, or a deletion of 32 base pairs on theCCR5gene, seem to be associated with the risk of CV disease in patients with RA. Despite considerable effort to decipher the genetic basis of CV disease in RA, further studies are required to better establish the genetic influence in the increased risk of CV events observed in patients with RA.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 790-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Haw ◽  
Jean Stubbs ◽  
Graeme Yorston

ABSTRACTBackground: Antipsychotics are widely used for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In the light of the increased risk of cerebrovascular events, many countries have issued guidelines concerning their use in treating BPSD.Methods: We carried out an audit of antipsychotic prescribing practice for inpatients with BPSD at a tertiary referral centre using standards derived from two U.K. dementia guidelines. We collated case note and prescription data and interviewed consultant psychiatrists.Results: Of the 60 patients with dementia 50 (83%) had BPSD; of these, 28 (56%) were receiving antipsychotics. Those prescribed antipsychotics were more likely to have severe BPSD and to be aggressive and/or agitated. Audit of the 28 patients receiving antipsychotics for BPSD showed generally satisfactory results but there was room for improvement in case note documentation of off-label usage, screening for risk factors of cerebrovascular disease, consultation with relatives and use of an appropriate starting dose and slow titration of the antipsychotic.Conclusion: Audit of the use of antipsychotics for BPSD is important given the increased mortality associated with their use. Simple audit tools as used in this study can inform clinical practice. Even at a tertiary referral centre prescribing practice could be improved.


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