Childhood Social Isolation as a Predictor of Retinal Neuronal Thickness in Middle Age: A Lifecourse Birth Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: We investigated whether childhood social isolation was associated with retinal neural layer changes in adulthood, and whether this association was independent of other childhood or adulthood risk factors, including adult social isolation. Methods: Participants were members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a longitudinal population-based birth cohort from Aotearoa New Zealand (n = 1037), born 1972 to 1973 and followed until age 45 years, with 94% of the living cohort still participating. Social isolation was recorded prospectively at ages 5, 7, 9, and 11 years, from teacher and parent report. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknesses were measured via optical coherence tomography at age 45 years. Results: Childhood social isolation was associated with thinner average RNFL (B = −0.739, p = .02), nasal RNFL (B = −1.118, p = .005), and inferior RNFL (B = −1.524, p = .007), although only nasal RNFL remained significant after adjustment. These associations were not fully explained by other psychosocial or physical health risk factors in childhood or adulthood, nor were they mediated by adult loneliness or social support. Conclusions: Childhood social isolation was an independent predictor of RNFL thickness in middle age. Highlighting prospective links between childhood psychosocial adversity and retinal neuronal measures will help to inform future research into the utility of retinal neuronal thickness as a biomarker for neurodegeneration.

Social isolation from childhood to mid-adulthood: is there an association with older brain age?

“…by a lack of stimulation (in the former case) and depression (in the latter) (Cardona & Andrés, 2023). Our social isolation measures have been associated with cardiovascular disease (Caspi et al, 2006), various age-related diseases (Danese et al, 2009), and chronic inflammation (Lacey et al, 2014), while our derived trajectory groups have been related to depression and suicide (Lay-Yee et al, 2023), and retinal neuronal thickness (Barrett-Young et al, 2023). Second, we have not accounted for confounding by factors contemporaneous with adulthood.…”

“…Psychological Medicine to depression and suicide (Lay-Yee et al, 2023), and retinal neuronal thickness (Barrett-Young et al, 2023). Second, we have not accounted for confounding by factors contemporaneous with adulthood.…”