[lutusp]

> But the evidence supports the idea that social isolation induces measurable changes in behavior and neural activity.

The experiment showed a change in behavior resulting from a change in environment. There's no cause proposed that rises above opinion and conjecture. To be able to say why the change took place, we would need a falsifiable theory that offers an explanation, not just a description, which is all this study provides.

Further reading: http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/51/2/CargoCult.htm