A group of scientists from Japan discovered changes in blood parameters characteristic of hikikomori. That's what they call it
As part of the study, the expertscompared blood tests of 42 hikikomori and 41 ordinary people. As a result, it turned out that sociophobic homebodies have a different protein profile - each of them had an increased level of long-chain acylcarnitine.
Interestingly, male hikikomori had their own distinctive features. For example, their levels of ornithine and arginase were higher, while bilirubin and arginine were lower.
The blood test also reportedly allowed scientists to predict the severity of the disease. The experts have not yet disclosed their plans for further development of the study.