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Social Isolation as a Risk Factor for Dementia: Insights from Animal Model Studies
Wataru Araki. Current Alzheimer Research, 2025-03-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Social isolation (SI) and loneliness (perceived social isolation) are considered as risk factors for developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), in the elderly population. Intriguingly, recent reports have shown a significant association of loneliness with a higher amyloid- β (Aβ) burden, suggesting that SI is linked to the pathophysiology of AD. Numerous studies, using rodents or other animal models have revealed diverse biological effects of SI, including induction of oxidative stress and activation of neuroinflammation. Furthermore, using transgenic mouse models of AD, recent investigations have shown that SI affects AD pathology, particularly the deposition of Aβ and neuroinflammation. However, it remains unclarified, by which mechanisms SI confers a significant risk for AD. In this narrative mini-review, I overview published studies on the pathobiological effects of SI in rodent models and discuss the mechanisms by which SI exacerbates AD pathology. Clarification of this issue has significant implications for the design of strategies for preventing cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly population.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Araki, W. (2025). Social Isolation as a Risk Factor for Dementia: Insights from Animal Model Studies. Current Alzheimer Research. https://doi.org/10.2174/0115672050373522250421054927
Vancouver
Araki W. Social Isolation as a Risk Factor for Dementia: Insights from Animal Model Studies. Current Alzheimer Research. 2025. doi:10.2174/0115672050373522250421054927. PMID: 40296618.
BibTeX
@article{araki2025-40296618,
author = {Araki, Wataru},
title = {{Social Isolation as a Risk Factor for Dementia: Insights from Animal Model Studies}},
journal = {Current Alzheimer Research},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.2174/0115672050373522250421054927},
pmid = {40296618},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2174/0115672050373522250421054927}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Intriguingly, recent reports have shown a significant association of loneliness with a higher amyloid- β (Aβ) burden, suggesting that SI is linked to the pathophysiology of AD.
- Numerous studies, using rodents or other animal models have revealed diverse biological effects of SI, including induction of oxidative stress and activation of neuroinflammation.
- Furthermore, using transgenic mouse models of AD, recent investigations have shown that SI affects AD pathology, particularly the deposition of Aβ and neuroinflammation.
- However, it remains unclarified, by which mechanisms SI confers a significant risk for AD.
- Clarification of this issue has significant implications for the design of strategies for preventing cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly population.
Why it matters
This review of animal studies suggests that social isolation may affect Alzheimer's-related brain changes such as amyloid-beta deposition and inflammation in rodents. However, the exact mechanisms by which social isolation raises Alzheimer's risk in people remain unclear, so no prevention or treatment approach can be based on this yet.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 29/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Current Alzheimer Research) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Current Alzheimer Research: journal h-index 119 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Wataru Araki: h-index 29 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Tokyo Medical and Dental University: institution h-index 572 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40296618) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 29 / 100 | — |
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