Blood metabolic signatures of hikikomori, pathological social withdrawal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A severe form of pathological social withdrawal, 'hikikomori,' has been acknowledged in Japan, spreading worldwide, and becoming a global health issue. The pathophysiology of hikikomori has not been clarified, and its biological traits remain unexplored.

Methods

Drug-free patients with hikikomori (n = 42) and healthy controls (n = 41) were recruited. Psychological assessments for the severity of hikikomori and depression were conducted. Blood biochemical tests and plasma metabolome analysis were performed. Based on the integrated information, machine-learning models were created to discriminate cases of hikikomori from healthy controls, predict hikikomori severity, stratify the cases, and identify metabolic signatures that contribute to each model.

SUBMITTER: Setoyama D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9286746 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature