How social isolation and loneliness in early life affect brain development and addiction risk
Official title: Effects of social isolation and loneliness during early life on neurocognitive development and addiction
Funded at Old Dominion University · NIH-10976653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how feeling lonely or isolated when you're young can affect your brain and behavior as you grow up, especially in teens and young adults, and it uses animal models to understand how things like sleep problems and inflammation in the brain play a role.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $360,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA061156-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research are adolescents and young adults who have experienced social isolation or loneliness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced social isolation or loneliness during early life may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of social isolation and loneliness during early life on cognitive development and the risk of addiction. It examines how these factors influence brain function and behavior, particularly in adolescents and young adults. The study will utilize animal models to explore the mechanisms behind these effects, including the roles of sleep disturbances and neuroinflammation. By understanding these relationships, the research aims to shed light on the long-term consequences of early life social experiences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for preventing addiction and enhancing cognitive development in at-risk youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that social factors significantly influence cognitive and behavioral outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanford, Larry D — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: Sanford, Larry D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How social connections and loneliness affect thinking in older adults
A study of how feeling lonely and actually having few social contacts influence thinking skills and risk of dementia in older adults.
-
Trajectories of loneliness and social isolation in older adults with HIV who use methamphetamine
This study follows older adults living with HIV who use methamphetamine to understand how loneliness and isolation change over time and relate to health care use and wellbeing.
-
Understanding how social isolation and loneliness affect brain health in Alzheimer’s risk
This research looks at how feeling isolated or lonely and the social environment might influence brain changes related to Alzheimer’s disease in adults.
-
Social factors and brain health: how loneliness and social support affect stroke risk and recovery
Researchers will study how social isolation and lack of support influence brain injury, stroke risk, and recovery in people over 21, using long-term data from large population studies.
-
Dyadic approach to reduce stress and loneliness in breast cancer survivors and families
A family-focused program helps breast cancer survivors and their caregivers cope with stress and isolation using a web-based, collaborative approach.
-
Using smartphones to spot isolation and loneliness linked to Alzheimer’s risk
This project uses brief smartphone surveys and passive phone sensors to find patterns of loneliness and social isolation that may signal higher Alzheimer's risk in older adults with normal thinking.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.