Background
How does the reward network activate?
By Getting a Reward
Impaired reward system links loneliness to?
Depression
What does BAS mean?
Behavioral Activation Systems
How did they do this study?
Through facebook ads?
What can data from social media be used for?
To identify resources which can help alleviate loneliness
What does the reward network transport
Dopamine
What is Oxytocin?
is a stress regulating hormone that also plays a role in controlling loneliness related neuroinflammation
What does a higher reward system lead to?
more social contact which leads to less loneliness
What were smaller involved networks linked to?
Depression
What can loneliness-induced depression be identified as?
Reward” depression for treatment purposes
What is the Reward Network also known as?
Mesolimbic pathway
What can low levels of oxytocin lead to?
Leads to systemic inflammation
What were people with higher BAS inclined to?
those with higher levels of BAS were more inclined toward social engagement due to their heightened reward sensitivity
What type of interactions did depressed users get less of?
Smaller inbound interactions such as receiving likes and comments.
What does RST studies suggest?
Focusing on personality and social factors for treatment
Where does the Reward Network transfer dopamine from, and where does it transfer it to?
From the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus,
How does loneliness contribute to the risk of depression?
Loneliness increases the risk of depression because it impairs the reward system
What did the initial studies discover about the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), and what did they associate it with?
More sensitive to punishment were less likely to seek out social engagement out of fear of social retribution. They tied it to fear and anxiety.
What does the reward path consist of?
Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula (labeled just insula here), and the amygdala.
Define Reward Depression.
Subtype of depression to focus on treatment options targeting loneliness, more useful than treating depression as an umbrella term
What could be the reason for the deactivation of the reward system? What are the effects of its deactivation?
The reward networks stays unactivated in times of loneliness. Less activations of this network and regions cause there to be a lower amount of dopamine in the system which can lead to disorders such as depression and anxiety.
How does neuroinflammation affect the reward system and dopamine neurons?
Neuroinflammation affects the reward system by blocking insulin signaling
Why didn't high (BIS) have much relation to loneliness in this study, and what factors were found to increase loneliness instead?
This is because fear and anxiety were two separate indicators in this study. Fear and personal acceptance did lead to heightened loneliness.
How do we reduce inbound interaction?
How can social justice groups utilize information about reward systems and loneliness to support marginalized communities?
Directing social programs towards groups like racial minorities and LGBTQ individuals to address their struggles with finding community and targeting reward systems for tangible effects