A new study has found that living through the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain aging in people’s brains, regardless of whether they were infected. The research shows that the pandemic aged people’s brains by 5.5 months on average, with effects most noticeable in older adults, men, and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Brain age refers to cognitive function and can differ from a person’s actual age. Premature brain aging can affect memory, sensory function, and emotional function. The study suggests that the brain aging caused by COVID-19 may be reversible.
The study used brain scan data from healthy adults taken before and after the pandemic as part of the UK Biobank study. Researchers analyzed brain scans to estimate brain age using machine learning algorithms and found that the brains of participants who experienced the pandemic had aged faster, even among those not infected with COVID-19.
While only those infected with COVID-19 showed a significant drop in cognitive abilities like mental flexibility and processing speed, other studies suggest that lifestyle changes such as exercise, healthy diet, stress management, and adequate sleep can slow down brain aging. These small changes can have a positive impact on brain function in the future.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/covid-19-pandemic-sped-up-brain-aging-says-study/a-73357331