It’s not just your imagination; the pandemic may have had a significant impact on our cognitive health. A recent study suggests that the isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated brain ageing in the general population, regardless of whether individuals contracted the virus. So yes “COVID brain” is real.
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The pandemic’s impact on brain health
Researchers, using brain scans from UK Biobank participants, discovered an average “5.5-month deviation of brain age gap” following the pandemic’s onset. This indicates that the brain age of participants effectively increased by nearly six months, potentially leading to a faster cognitive decline as people get older.
The findings, published in Nature, were derived from brain ageing models trained using data from over 15,000 healthy individuals. These models were then applied to almost 1,000 participants in the UK Biobank study, a long-term project monitoring the health of middle-aged and older adults. Half of the participants underwent brain scans before the pandemic, and the other half afterwards. The results indicated that the pandemic had “significantly” accelerated brain ageing.
Cognitive decline and vulnerable groups
Individuals who contracted COVID-19 demonstrated poorer performance on cognitive tests when reassessed after the pandemic. Scans revealed a decline in certain cognitive abilities, including mental flexibility and processing speed.
The study also highlighted that brain ageing was particularly accelerated in men, older individuals, and those from deprived backgrounds. Dr Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad, the study’s lead author, expressed surprise at the findings, stating, “It really shows how much the experience of the pandemic itself, everything from isolation to uncertainty, may have affected our brain health.”
The role of social isolation and stress
This recent study is supported by existing research highlighting the impact of social isolation on communities. Health psychologist Joanna Konstantopoulou points to studies that show chronic social disconnection and sustained stress can impair memory, emotional regulation, and executive functioning.
Interestingly, women may have fared somewhat better due to behavioural and physiological differences. Psychologically, women are more inclined to maintain social contact and discuss their experiences. Biologically, the hormone oestrogen helps regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the system in the brain and body that controls our response to stress, potentially offering some protection.
Konstantopoulou emphasises that “brain health isn’t only shaped by illness; it’s shaped by how we live, connect, and cope under pressure.”
Can the effects be reversed?
While the study reveals a concerning trend, there is hope for the future. When asked about the possibility of reversing these developments and lowering our biological age, Professor Dorothee Auer, a senior author of the study, stated, “We can’t test whether the changes we saw will reverse, but it’s certainly possible, and that’s an encouraging thought.”
Moving forward
The study underscores the importance of addressing the long-term cognitive effects of the pandemic. Further research is needed to explore potential interventions and strategies to support brain health and mitigate the accelerated ageing observed during this period. By understanding the factors that contribute to brain ageing, we can take proactive steps to protect our cognitive well-being and promote healthy ageing for all.
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