Journal: Neurodegenerative Diseases
Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026
Poor social connection (e.g., social isolation and loneliness) and accelerated biological aging are both associated with an increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). Yet, the interplay between social connection and biological aging is not well understood, particularly within the context of ADRD. This article collection aims to highlight emerging research on the relationship between social connection and biological aging in ADRD, predementia, and relatively healthy middle-aged and older adults.
We welcome submissions that explore structural (e.g., social network), functional (e.g., social support) and/or quality (e.g., marital satisfaction) aspects of social connection and employ a variety of biological aging clocks (e.g., epigenetic, proteomic, metabolomic, inflammatory and brain aging clocks). We particularly welcome studies that utilize innovative methodologies, novel measures, and analytical approaches, as well as those incorporating diverse sample populations of middle-aged and older adults with and without ADRD. The overall goal is to deepen our understanding of the interrelationship between social connection, biological aging, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia — which can then contribute to the development of more sensitive and efficacious prevention and intervention strategies.
We will consider original research, brief reports, study protocols, reviews, and letters of perspective that contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between social connection and biological aging in ADRD and relatively healthy aging.
Please select the option “Call for Papers: Social Connection and Biological Aging” when submitting your manuscript and mention this Call for Papers in your cover letter.
Article publication is subject to rigorous peer review in line with the journal's editorial policies. Please refer to our author guidelines for further details about the publication conditions.
Neurodegenerative Diseases is a Subscribe to Open (S2O) journal, aiming to achieve Open Access without cost to authors or readers. Authors submitting in 2025 can publish Open Access without any charges.