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de Lange AMG, Leonardsen EH, Barth C, Schindler LS, Crestol A, Holm MC, Subramaniapillai S, Hill D, Alnæs D, Westlye LT. Parental status and markers of brain and cellular age: A 3D convolutional network and classification study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107040. [PMID: 38636355 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107040] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Recent research shows prominent effects of pregnancy and the parenthood transition on structural brain characteristics in humans. Here, we present a comprehensive study of how parental status and number of children born/fathered links to markers of brain and cellular ageing in 36,323 UK Biobank participants (age range 44.57-82.06 years; 52% female). To assess global effects of parenting on the brain, we trained a 3D convolutional neural network on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images, and estimated brain age in a held-out test set. To investigate regional specificity, we extracted cortical and subcortical volumes using FreeSurfer, and ran hierarchical clustering to group regional volumes based on covariance. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) derived from DNA was used as a marker of cellular ageing. We employed linear regression models to assess relationships between number of children, brain age, regional brain volumes, and LTL, and included interaction terms to probe sex differences in associations. Lastly, we used the brain measures and LTL as features in binary classification models, to determine if markers of brain and cellular ageing could predict parental status. The results showed associations between a greater number of children born/fathered and younger brain age in both females and males, with stronger effects observed in females. Volume-based analyses showed maternal effects in striatal and limbic regions, which were not evident in fathers. We found no evidence for associations between number of children and LTL. Classification of parental status showed an Area under the ROC Curve (AUC) of 0.57 for the brain age model, while the models using regional brain volumes and LTL as predictors showed AUCs of 0.52. Our findings align with previous population-based studies of middle- and older-aged parents, revealing subtle but significant associations between parental experience and neuroimaging-based surrogate markers of brain health. The findings further corroborate results from longitudinal cohort studies following parents across pregnancy and postpartum, potentially indicating that the parenthood transition is associated with long-term influences on brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie G de Lange
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Claudia Barth
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Louise S Schindler
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Arielle Crestol
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Sivaniya Subramaniapillai
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dónal Hill
- Swiss Data Science Center (SDSC), EPFL-ETHZ, Switzerland
| | - Dag Alnæs
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars T Westlye
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Lay-Yee R, Hariri AR, Knodt AR, Barrett-Young A, Matthews T, Milne BJ. Social isolation from childhood to mid-adulthood: is there an association with older brain age? Psychol Med 2023; 53:7874-7882. [PMID: 37485695 PMCID: PMC10755222 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001964] [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] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older brain age - as estimated from structural MRI data - is known to be associated with detrimental mental and physical health outcomes in older adults. Social isolation, which has similar detrimental effects on health, may be associated with accelerated brain aging though little is known about how different trajectories of social isolation across the life course moderate this association. We examined the associations between social isolation trajectories from age 5 to age 38 and brain age assessed at age 45. METHODS We previously created a typology of social isolation based on onset during the life course and persistence into adulthood, using group-based trajectory analysis of longitudinal data from a New Zealand birth cohort. The typology comprises four groups: 'never-isolated', 'adult-only', 'child-only', and persistent 'child-adult' isolation. A brain age gap estimate (brainAGE) - the difference between predicted age from structural MRI date and chronological age - was derived at age 45. We undertook analyses of brainAGE with trajectory group as the predictor, adjusting for sex, family socio-economic status, and a range of familial and child-behavioral factors. RESULTS Older brain age in mid-adulthood was associated with trajectories of social isolation after adjustment for family and child confounders, particularly for the 'adult-only' group compared to the 'never-isolated' group. CONCLUSIONS Although our findings are associational, they indicate that preventing social isolation, particularly in mid-adulthood, may help to avert accelerated brain aging associated with negative health outcomes later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Lay-Yee
- Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences, and School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ahmad R. Hariri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Annchen R. Knodt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Timothy Matthews
- Department of Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Barry J. Milne
- Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences, and School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Lammer L, Beyer F, Luppa M, Sanders C, Baber R, Engel C, Wirkner K, Loffler M, Riedel-Heller SG, Villringer A, Witte AV. Impact of social isolation on grey matter structure and cognitive functions: A population-based longitudinal neuroimaging study. eLife 2023; 12:e83660. [PMID: 37337666 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Social isolation has been suggested to increase the risk to develop cognitive decline. However, our knowledge on causality and neurobiological underpinnings is still limited. Methods In this preregistered analysis, we tested the impact of social isolation on central features of brain and cognitive ageing using a longitudinal population-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. We assayed 1992 cognitively healthy participants (50-82years old, 921women) at baseline and 1409 participants after~6y follow-up. Results We found baseline social isolation and change in social isolation to be associated with smaller volumes of the hippocampus and clusters of reduced cortical thickness. Furthermore, poorer cognitive functions (memory, processing speed, executive functions) were linked to greater social isolation, too. Conclusions Combining advanced neuroimaging outcomes with prevalent lifestyle characteristics from a well-characterized population of middle- to older aged adults, we provide evidence that social isolation contributes to human brain atrophy and cognitive decline. Within-subject effects of social isolation were similar to between-subject effects, indicating an opportunity to reduce dementia risk by promoting social networks. Funding European Union, European Regional Development Fund, Free State of Saxony, LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, German Research Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurenz Lammer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frauke Beyer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- CRC Obesity Mechanisms, Subproject A1, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Melanie Luppa
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Sanders
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Centre, Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ronny Baber
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Engel
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wirkner
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (IMISE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Loffler
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (IMISE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffi G Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Veronica Witte
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- CRC Obesity Mechanisms, Subproject A1, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Korbmacher M, Gurholt TP, de Lange AMG, van der Meer D, Beck D, Eikefjord E, Lundervold A, Andreassen OA, Westlye LT, Maximov II. Bio-psycho-social factors' associations with brain age: a large-scale UK Biobank diffusion study of 35,749 participants. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1117732. [PMID: 37359862 PMCID: PMC10288151 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1117732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain age refers to age predicted by brain features. Brain age has previously been associated with various health and disease outcomes and suggested as a potential biomarker of general health. Few previous studies have systematically assessed brain age variability derived from single and multi-shell diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data. Here, we present multivariate models of brain age derived from various diffusion approaches and how they relate to bio-psycho-social variables within the domains of sociodemographic, cognitive, life-satisfaction, as well as health and lifestyle factors in midlife to old age (N = 35,749, 44.6-82.8 years of age). Bio-psycho-social factors could uniquely explain a small proportion of the brain age variance, in a similar pattern across diffusion approaches: cognitive scores, life satisfaction, health and lifestyle factors adding to the variance explained, but not socio-demographics. Consistent brain age associations across models were found for waist-to-hip ratio, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, matrix puzzles solving, and job and health satisfaction and perception. Furthermore, we found large variability in sex and ethnicity group differences in brain age. Our results show that brain age cannot be sufficiently explained by bio-psycho-social variables alone. However, the observed associations suggest to adjust for sex, ethnicity, cognitive factors, as well as health and lifestyle factors, and to observe bio-psycho-social factor interactions' influence on brain age in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Korbmacher
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Center (MMIV), Bergen, Norway
| | - Tiril P. Gurholt
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ann-Marie G. de Lange
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Dani Beck
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eli Eikefjord
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Center (MMIV), Bergen, Norway
| | - Arvid Lundervold
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Center (MMIV), Bergen, Norway
- Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars T. Westlye
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ivan I. Maximov
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorder Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Sutin AR, Luchetti M, Aschwanden D, Zhu X, Stephan Y, Terracciano A. Loneliness and risk of all-cause, Alzheimer's, vascular, and frontotemporal dementia: a prospective study of 492,322 individuals over 15 years. Int Psychogeriatr 2023; 35:283-292. [PMID: 36482759 PMCID: PMC10198800 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610222001028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined the association between loneliness and risk of incident all-cause dementia and whether the association extends to specific causes of dementia. DESIGN Longitudinal. SETTING Community. PARTICIPANTS Participants were from the UK Biobank (N = 492,322). INTERVENTION None. MEASUREMENTS Loneliness was measured with a standard item. The diagnosis of dementia was derived from health and death records, which included all-cause dementia and the specific diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), over 15 years of follow-up. RESULTS Feeling lonely was associated with a nearly 60% increased risk of all-cause dementia (HR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.51-1.65; n = 7,475 incident all-cause). In cause-specific analyses, loneliness was a stronger predictor of VD (HR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.62-2.03; n = 1,691 incident VD) than AD (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.28-1.53; n = 3135 incident AD) and was, surprisingly, a strong predictor of FTD (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.22-2.20; n = 252 incident FTD). The associations were robust to sensitivity analyses and were attenuated but remained significant accounting for clinical (e.g. diabetes) and behavioral (e.g. physical activity) risk factors, depression, social isolation, and genetic risk. The association between loneliness and all-cause and AD risk was moderated by APOE ϵ4 risk status such that the increased risk was apparent in both groups but stronger among non-carriers than carriers of the risk allele. CONCLUSION Loneliness is associated with increased risk of multiple types of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Luchetti
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Xianghe Zhu
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Allen SF, Gilbody S, Atkin K, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM. The associations among childhood trauma, loneliness, mental health symptoms, and indicators of social exclusion in adulthood: A UK Biobank study. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2959. [PMID: 36922902 PMCID: PMC10097065 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2959] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Childhood trauma has been associated with adult psychosocial outcomes linked to social exclusion. However, the strength of these associations in the general population is unknown. The emergence of the UK Biobank, with rich phenotypic characterization of the adult population, affords the exploration of the childhood determinants of adult psychopathology with greater statistical power. The current study aims to explore (1) the associations between childhood trauma and social exclusion in adulthood and (2) the role that self-reported loneliness and symptoms of distress play in the associations. METHODS This study was an analysis of 87,545 participants (mean [± SD] age = 55.68 [7.78], 55.0% female, 97.4% White) enrolled in the UK Biobank. Childhood trauma was determined by the five-item Childhood Trauma Screener. Current loneliness and symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) were also entered in analyses. Outcomes were "limited social participation," "area deprivation," "individual deprivation," and "social exclusion" from a previously determined dimensional measure of social exclusion in the UK Biobank. RESULTS Hierarchical multiple regression models indicated small associations between childhood trauma and social exclusion outcomes, explaining between 1.5% and 5.0% of the variance. Associations weakened but remained significant when loneliness, anxiety, and depression were entered in the models; however, anxiety symptoms demonstrated a negative association with "individual deprivation" and "social exclusion" in the final models. Depression was most strongly associated with "individual deprivation," "area deprivation," and "social exclusion" followed by childhood trauma. Loneliness was most strongly associated with "limited social participation." CONCLUSIONS Experiences of childhood trauma can increase the propensity for adulthood social exclusion. Loneliness and symptoms of depression attenuate but do not eliminate these associations. Anxiety symptoms have a potentially protective effect on the development of "individual deprivation." Findings add to the growing body of literature advocating for trauma-informed approaches in a variety of settings to help ameliorate the effects of childhood trauma on adult psychosocial outcomes. Further research, however, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah F Allen
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Simon Gilbody
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.,Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Karl Atkin
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.,Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK.,York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
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Socioeconomic Deprivation, Genetic Risk, and Incident Dementia. Am J Prev Med 2023; 64:621-630. [PMID: 37085245 PMCID: PMC10126314 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Socioeconomic factors and genetic predisposition are established risk factors for dementia. It remains unclear whether associations of socioeconomic deprivation with dementia incidence are modified by genetic risk. METHODS Participants in the UK Biobank aged ≥60 years and of European ancestry without dementia at baseline (2006-2010) were eligible for the analysis, with the main exposures area-level deprivation based on the Townsend Deprivation Index and individual-level socioeconomic deprivation based on car and home ownership, housing type and income, and polygenic risk of dementia. Dementia was ascertained in hospital and death records. Analysis was conducted in 2021. RESULTS In this cohort study, 196,368 participants (mean [SD] age=64.1 [2.9] years, 52.7% female) were followed up for 1,545,316 person-years (median [IQR] follow-up=8.0 [7.4-8.6] years). In high genetic risk and high area-level deprivation, 1.71% (95% CI=1.44, 2.01) developed dementia compared with 0.56% (95% CI=0.48, 0.65) in low genetic risk and low-to-moderate area-level deprivation (hazard ratio=2.31; 95% CI=1.84, 2.91). In high genetic risk and high individual-level deprivation, 1.78% (95% CI=1.50, 2.09) developed dementia compared with 0.31% (95% CI=0.20, 0.45) in low genetic risk and low individual-level deprivation (hazard ratio=4.06; 95% CI=2.63, 6.26). There was no significant interaction between genetic risk and area-level (p=0.77) or individual-level (p=0.07) deprivation. An imaging substudy including 11,083 participants found a greater burden of white matter hyperintensities associated with higher socioeconomic deprivation. CONCLUSIONS Individual-level and area-level socioeconomic deprivation were associated with increased dementia risk. Dementia prevention interventions may be particularly effective if targeted to households and areas with fewer socioeconomic resources, regardless of genetic vulnerability.
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Lanooij SD, Eisel ULM, Drinkenburg WHIM, van der Zee EA, Kas MJH. Influencing cognitive performance via social interactions: a novel therapeutic approach for brain disorders based on neuroanatomical mapping? Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:28-33. [PMID: 35858991 PMCID: PMC9812764 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01698-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Many psychiatric and neurological disorders present deficits in both the social and cognitive domain. In this perspectives article, we provide an overview and the potential of the existence of an extensive neurobiological substrate underlying the close relationship between these two domains. By mapping the rodent brain regions involved in the social and/or cognitive domain, we show that the vast majority of brain regions involved in the cognitive domain are also involved in the social domain. The identified neuroanatomical overlap has an evolutionary basis, as complex social behavior requires cognitive skills, and aligns with the reported functional interactions of processes underlying cognitive and social performance. Based on the neuroanatomical mapping, recent (pre-)clinical findings, and the evolutionary perspective, we emphasize that the social domain requires more focus as an important treatment target and/or biomarker, especially considering the presently limited treatment strategies for these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne D. Lanooij
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich L. M. Eisel
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelmus H. I. M. Drinkenburg
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, a Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Eddy A. van der Zee
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J. H. Kas
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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Carter CS. Sex, love and oxytocin: Two metaphors and a molecule. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 143:104948. [PMID: 36347382 PMCID: PMC9759207 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Dozens of studies, most conducted in the last four decades, have implicated oxytocin, as well as vasopressin and their receptors, in processes that mediate selective sociality and the consequences of early experience. Oxytocin is critical for the capacity to experience emotional safety and healthy sexuality. Oxytocin also plays a central role in almost every aspect of physical and mental health, including the coordination of sociality and loving relationships with physiological reactions to challenges across the lifespan. Species, including prairie voles, that share with humans the capacity for selective social bonds have been a particularly rich source of insights into the behavioral importance of peptides. The purpose of this historical review is to describe the discovery of a central role for oxytocin in behavioral interactions associated with love, and in the capacity to use sociality to anticipate and cope with challenges across the lifespan - a process that here is called "sociostasis."
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sue Carter
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA; Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
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10
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Greenspace and mortality in the U.K. Biobank: Longitudinal cohort analysis of socio-economic, environmental, and biomarker pathways. SSM Popul Health 2022; 19:101194. [PMID: 36059376 PMCID: PMC9429791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to natural greenspace benefits health through direct and indirect pathways: increasing physical activity, improving mental health, relieving social isolation, reducing exposure to extreme temperature, noise, and air pollution. Understanding the etiologic pathway of greenspace and health is needed. Here, we used a large cohort follow-up data from the U.K. Biobank to quantify the magnitude of behavioural factors, psychological factors, biomarkers/physiological measurements, co-morbid diseases, and environmental exposure as potential mediators in the relationship between greenspace and mortality. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) with Cox proportional hazards models, and undertook exploratory mediation analyses to quantify the relative contribution of five types of mediators. Our results indicate greenspace was strongly associated with lower mortality risks [per IQR of public greenspace (HR = 0.90 (95% CI 0.86-0.84)) and domestic gardens (HR = 0.91, (95% CI 0.88-0.94))]. The protective associations were especially pronounced among those with lower individual-level socioeconomic status or living in places with area-level deprivation. Exploratory mediation analysis detected benefits in pathways through reducing air pollution, relieving social isolation and depression, increased physical activity and time spent outdoor, better lung function (FEV1/FVC), and having higher serum vitamin D levels.
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Wrigglesworth J, Harding IH, Ward P, Woods RL, Storey E, Fitzgibbon B, Egan G, Murray A, Shah RC, Trevaks RE, Ward S, McNeil JJ, Ryan J. Factors Influencing Change in Brain-Predicted Age Difference in a Cohort of Healthy Older Individuals. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2022; 6:163-176. [PMID: 35591948 PMCID: PMC9108625 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is considerable variability in the rate at which we age biologically, and the brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of aging. Objective: We examined the test-retest reliability of brain age at one- and three-year intervals and identified characteristics that predict the longitudinal change in brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD, defined by deviations of brain age from chronological age). Methods: T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired at three timepoints from 497 community-dwelling adults (73.8±3.5 years at baseline, 48% were female). Brain age was estimated from whole brain volume, using a publicly available algorithm trained on an independent dataset. Linear mixed models were used, adjusting for sex, age, and age2. Results: Excellent retest reliability of brain age was observed over one and three years. We identified a significant sex difference in brain-PAD, where a faster rate of brain aging (worsening in brain age relative to chronological age) was observed in men, and this finding replicated in secondary analyses. The effect size, however, was relatively weak, equivalent to 0.16 years difference per year. A higher score in physical health related quality of life and verbal fluency were associated with a faster rate of brain aging, while depression was linked to a slower rate of brain aging, but these findings were not robust. Conclusion: Our study provides consistent evidence that older men have slightly faster brain atrophy than women. Given the sparsity of longitudinal research on brain age in older populations, future prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Wrigglesworth
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian H. Harding
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Phillip Ward
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Robyn L. Woods
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elsdon Storey
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bernadette Fitzgibbon
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gary Egan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne Murray
- Berman Center for Outcomes & Clinical Research, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Raj C. Shah
- Department of Family Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ruth E. Trevaks
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephanie Ward
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - John J. McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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12
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Solé-Padullés C, Macià D, Andersson M, Stiernstedt M, Pudas S, Düzel S, Zsoldos E, Ebmeier KP, Binnewies J, Drevon CA, Brandmaier AM, Mowinckel AM, Fjell AM, Madsen KS, Baaré WFC, Lindenberger U, Nyberg L, Walhovd KB, Bartrés-Faz D. No Association Between Loneliness, Episodic Memory and Hippocampal Volume Change in Young and Healthy Older Adults: A Longitudinal European Multicenter Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:795764. [PMID: 35283753 PMCID: PMC8905540 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.795764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Loneliness is most prevalent during adolescence and late life and has been associated with mental health disorders as well as with cognitive decline during aging. Associations between longitudinal measures of loneliness and verbal episodic memory and brain structure should thus be investigated. Methods We sought to determine associations between loneliness and verbal episodic memory as well as loneliness and hippocampal volume trajectories across three longitudinal cohorts within the Lifebrain Consortium, including children, adolescents (N = 69, age range 10-15 at baseline examination) and older adults (N = 1468 over 60). We also explored putative loneliness correlates of cortical thinning across the entire cortical mantle. Results Loneliness was associated with worsening of verbal episodic memory in one cohort of older adults. Specifically, reporting medium to high levels of loneliness over time was related to significantly increased memory loss at follow-up examinations. The significance of the loneliness-memory change association was lost when eight participants were excluded after having developed dementia in any of the subsequent follow-up assessments. No significant structural brain correlates of loneliness were found, neither hippocampal volume change nor cortical thinning. Conclusion In the present longitudinal European multicenter study, the association between loneliness and episodic memory was mainly driven by individuals exhibiting progressive cognitive decline, which reinforces previous findings associating loneliness with cognitive impairment and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Solé-Padullés
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,*Correspondence: Cristina Solé-Padullés,
| | - Dídac Macià
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic – University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Micael Andersson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mikael Stiernstedt
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sara Pudas
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sandra Düzel
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Enikő Zsoldos
- Department of Psychiatry, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus P. Ebmeier
- Department of Psychiatry, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Binnewies
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christian A. Drevon
- Vitas Ltd., Oslo, Norway,Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas M. Brandmaier
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Athanasia M. Mowinckel
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders M. Fjell
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kathrine Skak Madsen
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark,Radiography, Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - William F. C. Baaré
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulman Lindenberger
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Nyberg
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kristine B. Walhovd
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - David Bartrés-Faz
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Affective Neuroscience of Loneliness: Potential Mechanisms underlying the Association between Perceived Social Isolation, Health, and Well-Being. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2022; 7:e220011. [PMID: 36778655 PMCID: PMC9910279 DOI: 10.20900/jpbs.20220011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness, or the subjective feeling of social isolation, is an important social determinant of health. Loneliness is associated with poor physical health, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease and dementia, faster cognitive decline, and increased risk of mortality, as well as disruptions in mental health, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, and negative affect. Theoretical accounts suggest loneliness is a complex cognitive and emotional state characterized by increased levels of inflammation and affective disruptions. This review examines affective neuroscience research on social isolation in animals and loneliness in humans to better understand the relationship between perceptions of social isolation and the brain. Loneliness associated increases in inflammation and neural changes consistent with increased sensitivity to social threat and disrupted emotion regulation suggest interventions targeting maladaptive social cognitions may be especially effective. Work in animal models suggests the neural changes associated with social isolation may be reversible. Therefore, ameliorating loneliness may be an actionable social determinant of health target. However, more research is needed to understand how loneliness impacts healthy aging, explore the role of inflammation as a potential mechanism in humans, and determine the best time to deliver interventions to improve physical health, mental health, and well-being across a diverse array of populations.
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14
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Norbury R. Night Owls and Lone Wolves. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2021.2014083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ray Norbury
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Division of Psychology, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
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