Investigating how social disconnection affects suicide risk in older adults
Official title: Role of synaptic density in mediating the relation between social disconnection and late-life suicide risk
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11002326 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeling lonely might affect the brain and increase the risk of suicide in older adults, and it hopes to find ways to help prevent this by understanding how these feelings impact men and women differently.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $765,939 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132137-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002326 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are experiencing feelings of social disconnection and are at risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing social disconnection or who are not in the older adult age group may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between social disconnection and the risk of suicide in older adults by examining the role of synaptic density in the brain. It aims to identify the neural mechanisms that link these two factors, using advanced imaging techniques to study brain changes in individuals experiencing social disconnection. The study will also consider how these effects may differ between men and women. By understanding these relationships, the research seeks to inform better prevention strategies for suicide in the aging population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions that reduce suicide risk among older adults experiencing social disconnection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between social factors and brain changes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Esterlis, Irina — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Esterlis, Irina
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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.