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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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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Kottwitz A, Mönkediek B, Klatzka CH, Hufer-Thamm A, Hildebrandt J. Genetic and environmental contributions to the subjective burden of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:134. [PMID: 37101186 PMCID: PMC10131475 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01174-7] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feelings of loneliness and the burden of social isolation were among the most striking consequences of widespread containment measures, such as "social distancing", during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the potential impact on people's health, there has been increased interest in understanding the mechanisms and factors that contributed to feelings of loneliness and the burdens of social isolation. However, in this context, genetic predisposition has been largely ignored as an important factor. This is problematic because some of the phenotypic associations observed to date may in fact be genetic. The aim of this study is, therefore, to examine the genetic and environmental contributions to the burden of social isolation at two time points during the pandemic. In addition, we examine whether risk factors identified in previous studies explain genetic or environmental contributions to the burden of social isolation. METHODS The present study is based on a genetically sensitive design using data from the TwinLife panel study, which surveyed a large sample of adolescent and young adult twins during the first (N = 798) and the second (N = 2520) lockdown in Germany. RESULTS We find no substantive differences in genetic and environmental contributions to social isolation burden over the course of the pandemic. However, we find the determinants highlighted as important in previous studies can explain only a small proportion of the observed variance in the burden of social isolation and mainly explained genetic contributions. CONCLUSIONS While some of the observed associations appear to be genetic, our findings underscore the need for further research, as the causes of individual differences in burden of social isolation remain unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Kottwitz
- Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, P. O. Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Bastian Mönkediek
- Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, P. O. Box 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Anke Hufer-Thamm
- Department of Psychology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jannis Hildebrandt
- Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Li S, Kong K, Zhang K, Niu H. The relation between college students' neuroticism and loneliness: The chain mediating roles of self-efficacy, social avoidance and distress. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1124588. [PMID: 37138990 PMCID: PMC10149762 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1124588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, identifying the psychological mechanism of college students' loneliness has attracted wide attention because the maladjustment caused by college students' loneliness is increasingly common. This study explored the relationship and potential mechanism between college students' neuroticism and loneliness in a large sample. Methods A total of 4,600 college students completed the Big Five Personality Scale, Loneliness Scale, Self-efficacy Scale and Social Avoidance and Distress Scale. Results By examining the chain mediating roles of self-efficacy, social avoidance and distress (SAD) in the relation between neuroticism and loneliness, the present study found that college students' neuroticism was positively associated with loneliness via self-efficacy and SAD, respectively, and sequentially. Conclusions The results suggest a significant positive association between neuroticism and loneliness, which is influenced by the mediating effects of both self-efficacy and social avoidance and distress (SAD), as well as the chained mediating effects of self-efficacy and SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuna Li
- College of Marxism, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Kaizhen Kong
- Department of Student Affairs, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Kaijie Zhang
- College of Marxism, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Hua Niu
- College of Marxism, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Hua Niu,
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