How social isolation can actually shrink your brain

What is social isolation? 

Social isolation is a condition in which an individual has little or no social interaction or connection with others. A person becomes socially isolated when he lacks regular contact and engagement with family members, friends, or broader social networks.

Social isolation can be a subjective experience, where the individual sees himself as feeling disconnected from others, or it can be an objective condition, characterised by a tangible lack of social interactions.

Social isolation can manifest in various forms, including physical isolation, which occurs when an individual has limited opportunities to interact with others due to factors such as living alone, geographical distance from family and friends, or transportation issues; and emotional isolation, which signifies a lack of close, meaningful relationships and emotional support from others.

In the digital age, individuals may suffer from social isolation due to limited use of technology or the inability to access social media and online communication platforms due to lack of experience, lack of resources, or absence of services.

Over the past few decades, people — particularly in urban areas — have increasingly chosen to live alone. The migration of people from rural areas to cities has led to changes in lifestyle and family structure. Urban areas offer more jobs and more independence, encouraging people to live alone.

Improved economic opportunities have enabled individuals to live independently. Studies suggest that financial stability and increased opportunities for women in the workforce have played an important role in this trend.

With the development of social norms surrounding marriage and family, as well as the emphasis on individual achievement at work, marriage tends to be delayed and children leave the family home, which contributes to an increase in the number of people living alone.

There is a causal relationship between living alone, social isolation, and feelings of loneliness. Research shows that social isolation is more common among some people and in some locations compared to others.

Senior citizens are more vulnerable to the risk of isolation due to physical frailty and deaths in their families and friendship networks. It's also likely that men experience social isolation at a higher rate than women.

Some reports suggest that lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals (LGBTQ+), face an increased risk of social isolation. This is partly because they are less likely to have children and are more likely to be separated from their families.

What does isolation to do the brain?

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that social isolation and feelings of loneliness are widespread, with some countries reporting that up to one in every three senior citizens experience loneliness.

Many studies show that social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on the physical and mental health of senior citizens, comparable to other established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity.

In a new study, researchers found that social isolation may be implicated in brain atrophy and may play a major role in the emergence of symptoms of depression.

As social isolation becomes a growing concern among senior people, researchers decided to focus their studies on exploring the impact of this problem specifically on senior citizens.

The study involved 8,896 individuals with an average age of 73 who do not suffer from dementia. They underwent brain MRI scans and health assessments.

To assess social connectivity, participants were asked a single question: "How often do you have contact with relatives or friends who do not live with you, such as attending social gatherings or talking over the phone?" The choice of answers provided was: every day, several times a week, several times a month, and rarely.

Individuals who reported lower levels of social connectivity had a significantly smaller total brain volume compared to those with higher levels of social interactions.

The total brain volume, or the sum of white and grey matter, as a percentage of the total intracranial volume, or the volume inside the skull, including the brain, meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, was lower in individuals who suffer from social isolation.

They also exhibited smaller volumes in brain regions such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which play a role in memory and are affected by dementia.

Moreover, socially isolated people also had small areas of brain damage, called white matter lesions, more than people who had frequent social contact.

The percentage of intracranial volume consisting of white matter lesions was 30% for the socially isolated group versus 26% for the more socially connected group.

The researchers found that symptoms of depression partly explain the link between social isolation and brain size.

The study also suggests that lower rates of social contact are associated with a decrease in brain volume responsible for cognitive function.

Brain size is an important feature of human brain characteristics, as it plays an important role in our mental and biological health. The brain is a complex organ responsible for processing information, coordinating body functions and enabling cognitive abilities. Its size, along with its structure and neural connections, affect various aspects of human health and behaviour.

Brain size is associated with cognitive abilities, including memory, problem-solving, thinking, and language skills. In general, larger brains have been associated with higher cognitive abilities as well as the size of specific regions in the brain can affect their functions.

For example, a larger prefrontal cortex, which is the area responsible for decision-making and executive functions, is associated with higher levels of self-control and planning skills.

Brain size can be relevant in understanding some neurological disorders and conditions. Changes in brain size or abnormal development of certain regions in the brain have been linked to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.

Because the brain is an energy-intensive organ, its size can have effects on the overall metabolism of the individual.

Larger brains may require more energy, leading to differences in metabolic rates between individuals. In general, brain size is an important factor in both our mental and biological health.

Preventing social isolation

Some studies have shown that exposing senior people to socially stimulating groups reverses the decrease in brain volume and improves thinking and memory skills. Therefore, it is possible that interventions aimed at reducing social isolation may prevent brain volume loss and prevent dementia.

Preventing social isolation requires concerted efforts from individuals, communities and policymakers. By enhancing the sense of belonging to the community, strengthening social ties, and providing support for vulnerable segments of the population, proactive steps can be taken to reduce social isolation.

Studies suggest that encouraging participation in events, clubs and local organisations provides opportunities for individuals to meet new people, build social bonds, and participate in shared activities.

Enhancing interactions between different age groups, such as organising events that bring together seniors, youth and children may contribute to raising levels of mutual understanding, combating age-related stereotypes, and providing valuable support systems.

Creating shared spaces and facilities can promote social gatherings and enhance neighbourhood interactions. This can be done through the innovative design of neighbourhoods and housing options that encourage social interactions and enhance the sense of belonging to the community.

Encouraging the use of social media, video calls and online forums can help people stay connected, especially when physical interactions are difficult; but programmes should be offered to senior citizens who do not have technological skills to teach them how to use modern technology.

Studies also encourage involving volunteers in supporting individuals who may be at risk of social isolation, such as senior people or individuals with disabilities. Volunteers can provide companionship, offer assistance in daily tasks and organise social activities.

It is also crucial to raise awareness of the importance of social ties and the dangers of social isolation through educating individuals, families and communities about the potential consequences of social isolation and the benefits of staying socially active.