Brain Aging Sped Up by COVID-19, Independent of Sickness Status
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects, and a new study published in Nature Communications reveals that it has also impacted the brain health of individuals who did not contract the virus. The study found that even healthy middle-aged and older adults experienced accelerated brain aging during the pandemic period, averaging about 5.5 months faster than pre-pandemic controls.
The research, which reviewed data from the UK Biobank, launched in 2006, did not specify a particular cause for the accelerated brain aging. However, it is believed to be driven by factors such as social isolation, psychological stress, disruptions to normal routine, and reduced activity levels.
For those who did contract COVID-19, the virus can directly impact the brain. Studies have shown that even months after recovery, patients may have microstructural changes in brain white matter and increased gray and white matter volumes, suggesting inflammation or axonal injury. About 30% of COVID survivors experience cognitive issues, loss of smell, motor dysfunction, and other neurological symptoms.
The consequences of brain aging include reduced brain volume, thinning of the cerebral cortex, and changes to neurotransmitter systems that can result in decreased cognitive function. The study reviewed brain scans from thousands of healthy adults with an average age of 63. Older participants and men showed the most pronounced pandemic-related acceleration in brain aging.
The study also found that cognitive decline affected those who had a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the period between pre- and post-pandemic scans. However, unlike people who contracted COVID-19, those without infection did not show measurable declines in cognitive functions like processing speed or mental flexibility.
Focusing on brain health going forward can help to undo some of the harm done by the pandemic. To keep the mind sharp, one can embrace healthy foods like the Mediterranean diet, focus on maintaining an active social life and strong social connections, and remain excited about life. By taking these steps, we can mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on our brain health.
- Engaging in a healthy lifestyle focused on mental health-and-wellness, such as maintaining a balanced diet like the Mediterranean, fostering strong social connections, and maintaining an active lifestyle, might help reverse some of the brain aging effects observed during the pandemic, particularly among middle-aged and older individuals.
- When considering the long-term effects of COVID-19, it's crucial to remember that even those who did not contract the virus may have experienced accelerated brain aging, while survivors of the disease may face cognitive issues, loss of smell, motor dysfunction, and other neurological symptoms due to direct brain impacts by the virus.
