British scientists have discovered that the coronavirus pandemic aged people's brains by an average of 5.5 months, regardless of whether they contracted Covid-19.
The latest findings, published in Nature Communications, analysed brain scans showing shrinkage patterns during 2021 and 2022.
University of Nottingham neuroimaging researcher Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad, who led the investigation, stated: "It highlights that brain health is not shaped solely by illness, but also by broader life experiences."
The accelerated ageing affected males more severely than females, with a difference of approximately 2.5 months between the sexes. Individuals from economically disadvantaged areas experienced the most significant brain changes.
GETTY
|Environmental isolation has been linked to brain shrinkage
The investigation utilised the UK Biobank, an extensive health database tracking 500,000 volunteers since 2006.
Scientists examined brain imaging from 15,334 individuals collected before the pandemic to establish typical ageing patterns.
Researchers then analysed 996 participants who underwent two scans approximately 2.3 years apart.
While 564 completed both scans before the pandemic, 432 received their second scan during 2021-2022.
"We used this large dataset to teach our model what typical, healthy brain ageing looks like across the adult lifespan," Mohammadi-Nejad explained.
The artificial intelligence system compared pre-pandemic brain changes with those occurring during the health crisis, revealing accelerated ageing patterns.
The investigation revealed that pandemic-related psychological strain, social restrictions, interrupted routines, decreased physical activity and compromised wellbeing likely drove these brain alterations.
"In this sense, the pandemic period itself appears to have left a mark on our brains, even in the absence of infection," Mohammadi-Nejad noted.
Previous research supports these findings, including a 2024 University of Washington study showing teenagers experienced similar accelerated brain ageing during lockdowns.
Environmental isolation has been linked to brain shrinkage in other contexts, such as Antarctic research stations.
"We don't yet know exactly why, but this fits with other research suggesting that men may be more affected by certain types of stress or health challenges," Mohammadi-Nejad said.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
GETTY
|Social connections could potentially counteract pandemic-induced brain changes
Mount Sinai clinical neuropsychologist Jacqueline Becker highlighted a crucial distinction: "The most intriguing finding in this study is that only those who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed any cognitive deficits, despite structural ageing."
She suggested these findings could illuminate conditions like long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, whether structural alterations in uninfected individuals will manifest as functional impairments remains uncertain.
Columbia University neuropsychology professor Adam Brickman characterised the research as presenting "a compelling narrative, but still a hypothesis".
He emphasised that maintaining healthy blood pressure, exercising regularly, prioritising sleep and sustaining social connections could potentially counteract pandemic-induced brain changes.