How social loss and loneliness harm the brain
From Social Discruption to Neural Compromise: Establishing Markers and Mediators
This project looks at how losing close social connections can trigger brain inflammation and metabolic changes that may raise the risk of dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237085 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or someone you love is dealing with long-term loneliness, this project aims to find how losing social connections may cause inflammation and metabolic changes in the brain. The team will use social animal models to measure brain inflammatory and metabolic signals and identify biological markers and pathways activated when social bonds are broken. By tracing these markers and mediators, researchers hope to find targets that could be used for drugs or other treatments to protect mental and physical health. While most work is done in the lab, the findings could guide future clinical studies in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or those experiencing chronic loneliness would be most relevant to the goals of this research.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are driven purely by non-social genetic factors or who are not experiencing social isolation may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to biological targets for treatments that reduce the health risks of loneliness and possibly lower dementia risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have linked social isolation to brain inflammation and worse cognition, but translating those findings into human treatments is still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Glasper, Erica R — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Glasper, Erica R
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 below.