Finding the biological roots for pathological social withdrawal, Hikikomori

Researchers analyzed the blood of Hikikomori patients and found key biomarkers for the condition included higher ornithine and long-chain acylcarnitine levels and lower levels of bilirubin and arginine. Further analysis was able to distinguish between hikikomori and healthy volunteers and even predict with high accuracy the severity of the condition. The team hopes their findings can lead to better specialized treatments and support for hikikomori.