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<p>Loneliness is an unpleasant subjective experience associated with significant psychological and physical health problems. With increasing urbanization and aging populations, loneliness is becoming a global public health concern. Thus, understanding the neural correlates of loneliness is crucial for developing targeted intervention approaches. In the current study, we collected resting-state fMRI data from 238 young adults (ages 17–26; 59 males, 179 females) and used fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) analyses to investigate the neural correlates of loneliness. Results revealed that loneliness was negatively correlated with fALFF in the right posterior precuneus. Functional connectivity analyses showed that loneliness was positively correlated with connectivity between the right posterior precuneus and right superior frontal gyrus, and negatively correlated with connectivity between the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex and a network including the right cerebellum, left fusiform gyrus, and right superior occipital gyrus. These findings reveal neural correlates of loneliness, including distinct patterns of intrinsic activity in the posterior precuneus and specific functional connectivity patterns involving regions associated with social cognition and emotional regulation. The results provide neural evidence for understanding individual differences in loneliness and could potentially inform future research on neurostimulation and cognitive-behavioral interventions targeting these specific brain networks.</p> Graphical abstract <p>Resting-state fMRI investigation of loneliness neural correlates in 238 young adults revealed distinct brain patterns. Loneliness was associated with 1) reduced spontaneous activity in right posterior precuneus, 2) increased posterior precuneus-superior frontal gyrus connectivity, and 3) decreased ventromedial prefrontal cortex connectivity to cerebellum, fusiform gyrus, and superior occipital gyrus. These findings identify specific neural networks involving social cognition and emotion regulation that are altered in loneliness, providing neurobiological targets for future interventions.</p> <p></p>

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Brain activity and functional connectivity patterns associated with loneliness: A resting-state fMRI study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月5日

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  • Fenghua Zhang,
  • Jin Yang,
  • Xiaoqiang Yao,
  • Chengzhen Liu,
  • Xueyang Wang

摘要

Loneliness is an unpleasant subjective experience associated with significant psychological and physical health problems. With increasing urbanization and aging populations, loneliness is becoming a global public health concern. Thus, understanding the neural correlates of loneliness is crucial for developing targeted intervention approaches. In the current study, we collected resting-state fMRI data from 238 young adults (ages 17–26; 59 males, 179 females) and used fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) analyses to investigate the neural correlates of loneliness. Results revealed that loneliness was negatively correlated with fALFF in the right posterior precuneus. Functional connectivity analyses showed that loneliness was positively correlated with connectivity between the right posterior precuneus and right superior frontal gyrus, and negatively correlated with connectivity between the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex and a network including the right cerebellum, left fusiform gyrus, and right superior occipital gyrus. These findings reveal neural correlates of loneliness, including distinct patterns of intrinsic activity in the posterior precuneus and specific functional connectivity patterns involving regions associated with social cognition and emotional regulation. The results provide neural evidence for understanding individual differences in loneliness and could potentially inform future research on neurostimulation and cognitive-behavioral interventions targeting these specific brain networks.

Graphical abstract

Resting-state fMRI investigation of loneliness neural correlates in 238 young adults revealed distinct brain patterns. Loneliness was associated with 1) reduced spontaneous activity in right posterior precuneus, 2) increased posterior precuneus-superior frontal gyrus connectivity, and 3) decreased ventromedial prefrontal cortex connectivity to cerebellum, fusiform gyrus, and superior occipital gyrus. These findings identify specific neural networks involving social cognition and emotion regulation that are altered in loneliness, providing neurobiological targets for future interventions.