Cognitive Consequences of Social Isolation During COVID-19: side effects and treatments

Abstract

Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine and staying at home is advised. The social relationship between people has become deficient, and human social isolation (SI) has become the consequence of this situation. It was shown that SI has made changes in hippocampal neuroplasticity, which will lead to poor cognitive function and behavioral abnormalities. There is a connection between SI, learning, and memory impairments. In addition, anxiety-like behavior and increased aggressive mood in long-term isolation have been revealed during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Term searches was done in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed databases as well as hand searching in key resource journals from 1979–2020. Results: Studies have shown that some drug administrations may positively affect or even prevent social isolation consequences in animal models. These drug treatments have included opioid drugs, anti-depressants, Antioxidants, and herbal medications. In addition to drug interventions, there are non-drug treatments that include an enriched environment, regular exercise, and music. Conclusion: This manuscript aims to review improved cognitive impairments induced by SI during COVID-19.

Depresssion, anxiety and other cognitive consequences of social isolation: Drug and non‐drug treatments

“…150 Two types of patients, adults in the general ward of the hospital and children with leukaemia in an isolated room, have experienced it as an enjoyable practice. 151 impairment. 153 There are several investigations on using smartphones, which have been used as a critical tool to connect humans and plays a crucial role in social capability and decreasing SI.…”

“…Physicians have found music therapy as a method to alleviate patients who had shown regression and weak sociability during housing isolation 150 . Two types of patients, adults in the general ward of the hospital and children with leukaemia in an isolated room, have experienced it as an enjoyable practice 151 . They have claimed reduced fears, stress, and a motivated mood by listening to music.…”