A recent study has found that living through the COVID-19 pandemic aged our brains, with accelerated aging seen in both those infected and those not infected. Researchers at the University of Nottingham compared brain scans from 1,000 people during and before the pandemic, finding that pandemic-era brains aged about 5.5 months faster than pre-pandemic brains.
The study suggests that factors beyond biological ones, such as high stress, may have contributed to this accelerated aging. The impact was particularly notable in certain groups, including men, the elderly, and those with compromised health or lower educational status.
While cognitive skills were only reduced in people infected with COVID-19, the study highlights the need to consider mental and social well-being alongside traditional physical health indicators during future crisis-response planning. Maintaining brain health through strategies like a healthy diet, exercise, and social interactions may be crucial, particularly in stressful circumstances.
Source: https://time.com/7304417/covid-19-brain-effects-aging