Negative Affect Shared with Siblings is Associated with Structural Brain Network Efficiency and Loneliness in Adolescents

Abstract

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Neurobiology of loneliness: a systematic review

“…Twenty-four studies focused on younger adults (mean age 18–60; [ 24 – 47 ]), 12 on older adults (mean age >60; [ 48 – 59 ]), two on adolescents [ 60 , 61 ], and two across the lifespan [ 62 , 63 ]. Most reports included healthy individuals while seven focused on clinical populations: four with depression [ 47 , 49 , 51 , 57 ], and one each with traumatic brain injury (TBI) [ 58 ], schizophrenia [ 28 ], and severe hearing impairment [ 27 ].…”

“…Fifteen studies analyzed the relationship between loneliness and brain structures using CT [ 58 ] or MRI. Twelve were cross-sectional, with eight focusing on gray matter volume, [ 26 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 46 , 57 , 59 , 63 ], and four on white matter features, employing DTI or diffusion MRI [ 29 , 32 , 38 , 61 ]. The three longitudinal investigations included a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of effects of exercise on gray matter volume [ 54 ], a prospective cohort study of progression of white matter hyperintensities [ 53 ], and a study of TBIs localized to different brain areas [ 58 ].…”

“…(20 item): 41.6 (7.9) V/V −42.6 (8.3) V/M −40.7 (7.5) M/M −43.0 (8.5) DTI: The relationships between loneliness and diffusion measures were significantly different between the Val/Met group and the Val/Val group, particularly in the white matter of corpus callosum, bilateral posterior corona radiata, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus, and bilateral corona radiata, and right SLF. Covariates: age, gender, depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms —Exploratory whole brain analysis Wong et al China [ 61 ] 40 adolescents (20 same-sex sibling pairs) 17.8 (1.2) 55% UCLA-LS (20 item): 39.5 (9.5) DMRI: Loneliness associated with lower structural local efficiency in the posterior right cerebellum lobe, right hippocampus, left caudate nucleus, bilateral superior and inferior temporal lobe, calcarine fissure, and middle occipital gyrus. Structural network efficiency was found to mediate the association between negative affect scores and loneliness.…”

Associations between Feelings of Loneliness and Attitudes towards Physical Education in Contemporary Adolescents According to Sex, and Physical Activity Engagement

“…With regard to students’ perceptions of loneliness, feelings of relational loneliness are reported more strongly than emotional loneliness. Affective traits are fundamental during adolescence [ 53 ]. Although the family factor is important at the start of this stage, as the stage progresses, family is relegated to a supporting role as peer relations take centre stage [ 54 , 55 ].…”

“…With regard to students' perceptions of loneliness, feelings of relational loneliness are reported more strongly than emotional loneliness. Affective traits are fundamental during adolescence [53].…”