Social isolation and aging in people with schizophrenia
The impact of social isolation on aging health in schizophrenia
Looking at whether being socially isolated speeds up health problems as people with schizophrenia get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11371709 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll be followed over several years with regular check-ins about your social contacts, daily activities, and overall health. The team combines data from research centers in Europe and the US to create a longitudinal database of about 650 people, including roughly 500 with schizophrenia and 150 comparison participants. You'll be asked about loneliness and social connections, and researchers will review medical records and health measures to track aging-related conditions. The study aims to understand if isolation contributes to earlier health decline so future supports can be developed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 65 or older with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder are the most appropriate candidates for this project.
Not a fit: People without a psychotic disorder, much younger adults, or those unable to participate in follow-up visits are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify social connection as a modifiable factor to help delay or prevent health decline in older people with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller studies and pilot data have linked social isolation to poorer health in schizophrenia, but long-term, multi-site evidence is still limited.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reichenberg, Abraham — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Reichenberg, Abraham
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.