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Chapter 7 - Psychoneuroimmunology Linking Social Isolation with Cognitive Aging

from Part II - Society Interacting with Brain, Cognition, and Health in Late Life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2023

By
Sung-Ha Lee
Edited by
Jeanyung Chey
Jeanyung Chey
Affiliation:
Seoul National University
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Summary

Being an active part of a group or society (i.e., social integration) has been recognized as an important factor in promoting health and well-being in later life. With increasing attention on how social integration can lower morbidity and all-cause mortality in later life, recent studies point to immune response as a candidate link between social integration and physiological mechanisms. Given that physical aging is accompanied by elevated levels of systemic pro-inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, social relationships emerge as a factor that can counteract aging processes associated with systemic inflammations. This chapter reviews how the increased inflammatory response (i.e., inflammageing) in late life may facilitate cognitive decline. Moreover, it focuses on how social integration or support plays protective roles in systemic inflammation functions. Finally, it reviews recent findings from health psychology regarding psychological factors, such as purpose in life and alteration of gut microbiome, that moderate the age-related risk factors for maladaptive immune function.

Keywords

inflammageinginterleuken-6 (IL-6)C-reactive protein (CRP)chronic systemic inflammationbrain agingsocial isolationgut microbiome diversitysocial supportpurpose in lifediet
Type
Chapter
Information
Society within the Brain
How Social Networks Interact with Our Brain, Behavior and Health as We Age
 , pp. 162 - 174
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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