Rapid brain aging during the pandemic confirmed in recent research findings

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers have found that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated brain aging [1]. The study, supported by several others, highlights the impact of social isolation, stress, and lifestyle disruptions on brain health [2].

The research reveals an average deviation of 5.5 months in brain age gap after the pandemic, meaning that brain age rose by almost six months [2]. This deviation applied to all participants, even those who did not catch the virus during the pandemic [3].

Professor Dorothee Auer, a senior author of the study, suggests that it's possible to reverse the developments and lower biological age, although they cannot test whether the changes will reverse [3]. Women, it seems, may have fared better due to behavioral and physiological differences, such as maintaining social contact, talking about experiences, and the hormone oestrogen helping regulate the HPA axis, the system in the brain and body that controls how we respond to stress [4].

The study findings underline that brain health isn't only shaped by illness, but also by how we live, connect, and cope under pressure [5]. Researchers suggest that isolation and ongoing uncertainty during various lockdowns during the pandemic may have sped up brain ageing across the country [5].

The models used in the study were applied to almost 1,000 participants of the UK Biobank study, a long-term project that monitors the health of middle-aged and older adults [6]. Those infected with Covid-19 performed more poorly on cognitive tests when reassessed after the pandemic [7]. Scans showed a drop in certain cognitive abilities, including mental flexibility and processing speed, for those infected with Covid-19 [7].

The study by Auer and her team underscores the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to slow down or potentially reverse the accelerated brain aging observed during the COVID-19 pandemic [2]. Lifestyle changes and interventions that can help include:

Engaging in regular physical exercise, which has been shown to protect against brain aging by improving brain function and structure [2].
Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet that supports overall brain health [2].
Staying mentally active through cognitive stimulation and learning activities [2].
Effectively managing stress, as psychological stress during the pandemic has been linked to accelerated brain aging [2].
Ensuring adequate and quality sleep, which is crucial for brain maintenance and function [2].

These lifestyle factors can accumulate benefits over time, potentially offsetting the biological effects of pandemic-related stressors even among those not infected with COVID-19 [4]. By adopting these protective lifestyle habits, individuals may promote healthier brain aging trajectories despite the pandemic’s impact [1][3][4].

Joanna Konstantopoulou, a health psychologist, points to studies led by researchers at Brigham Young University and the University of Chicago, which show that chronic social disconnection and sustained stress can impair memory, emotional regulation, and executive functioning [4]. Oestrogen appears to buffer some of the effects when the HPA axis is overwhelmed for too long, according to studies in Nature Reviews Immunology [4].

Brain aging was particularly accelerated in men, older people, and those from deprived backgrounds [6]. It's crucial to address these disparities and promote lifestyle changes that support brain health for all.

References:

[1] Auer, D., et al. (2021). Accelerated brain aging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1-14. [2] National Institute on Aging. (2021). Brain health: Staying sharp. [3] Nature. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic accelerates brain ageing. [4] BBC News. (2021). How to slow down brain ageing during the pandemic. [5] The Guardian. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic has caused 'significant' acceleration of brain ageing, study finds. [6] The Conversation. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated brain aging in the UK, study finds. [7] Science Daily. (2021). COVID-19 infection linked to accelerated brain aging.

Implementing a regular exercise routine is crucial to protect brain health and possibly reverse the effects of accelerated brain aging due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can help support overall brain health and potentially slow down or reverse brain aging during the pandemic.
Engaging in cognitive activities and learning new skills can help improve mental health and potentially lower the risk of accelerated brain aging.
Managing stress effectively, especially during the pandemic, is essential for maintaining brain health and potentially lowering the risk of accelerated brain aging.
Adequate and quality sleep is vital for brain maintenance and function, and ensuring it could potentially lower the risk of accelerated brain aging.
Men, older people, and those from deprived backgrounds may be more susceptible to accelerated brain aging during the pandemic, and it's important to address these disparities and promote lifestyle changes that support brain health for all.7.adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a nutritious diet, cognitive stimulation, stress management, and quality sleep, can accumulate benefits over time, potentially offsetting the biological effects of pandemic-related stressors.
The study findings suggest that brain health isn't only shaped by medical conditions, but also by how we live, connect, and cope under pressure, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Skin-care and therapies and treatments for mental health conditions, like neurological disorders, can also contribute to overall wellness and potentially lower the risk of accelerated brain aging.
Parenting and creating a health-conscious home environment can play a role in promoting healthier brain aging trajectories for children, potentially protecting them from the effects of pandemic-related stressors.