By Stef Verhagen
It is generally believed that people become gradually less sociable as they grow older. Is this actually the case, and if so, what causes this change?
A new study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One researchers sheds light on the connection between age and sociability by looking directly at changes within our brains. In this article we’ll go over the findings.
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How Age Quietly Changes Your Brain Connections
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore conducted an in-depth analysis of brain scans from nearly 200 healthy adults aged 20 to 77. They explored how age-related changes in brain connectivity might explain shifts in social behaviour, specifically looking at resting-state functional connectivity, which refers to how different regions of the brain communicate when we're not actively focusing on specific tasks.
Their findings were revealing: as we age, significant changes occur in two critical sets of brain connections. Connections within the limbic-insular and ventral attention-somatomotor networks strengthen as we get older, and these increased connections are notably linked with reduced sociability. Conversely, connections involving frontoparietal and default mode networks weaken with age, also correlating with lower sociability. This means the brain's natural ageing process directly affects our ability to socialize effectively.
Simply put, it isn't just getting older that reduces our social interactions; specific and measurable changes within our brains contribute significantly to this phenomenon.
Interestingly, this aligns with the "social brain hypothesis," proposed by anthropologist Robin Dunbar, which suggests that our ability to manage social relationships is closely tied to brain structures. As these brain connections become less efficient, our capacity to maintain broad social networks naturally diminishes.
Interesting article: How Nostalgia Can Strengthen Your Close Friendships - (Universal-Sci) -
Could Understanding Your Brain Help You Age Better?
Understanding natural neurological changes in our brains could significantly help older adults adapt their social strategies, potentially mitigating the negative impacts of reduced sociability.
The research team highlights the value of psychoeducation, informing older adults and their caregivers about these brain changes. Awareness can empower individuals to maintain more active social lives and foster better mental and emotional health as they age.
Future research suggested by the authors includes testing interventions aimed at these specific brain networks. Such targeted approaches might enhance sociability in older adults and support healthier ageing overall.
For anyone interested in more detail about the underlying research, check out the article published in PLOS One, listed below.
Sources, further reading and more interesting articles on the subject of health, mind & brain:
Intrinsic functional connectivity brain networks mediate effect of age on sociability - (PLOS One)
How Nostalgia Can Strengthen Your Close Friendships - (Universal-Sci)
Europeans Live Longer Than Americans Regardless of Wealth: Here's Why - (Universal-Sci)
How your friends affect your health - (Universal-Sci)
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