The pandemic accelerated brain aging even in those who did not have COVID-19

Even without coronavirus infection, the pandemic can accelerate brain aging even in those who did not have COVID-19. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Nottingham. The research results are published in the journal Nature Communications (NatCom).

Researchers studied about 15 thousand MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans of the brains of people of European origin from the UK Biobank. The analysis showed: during the pandemic, brain aging processes accelerated by an average of five and a half months. Moreover, changes were observed even in those whose bodies were not penetrated by the virus. Artificial intelligence tools were used to analyze the data.

"We recorded accelerated brain aging in people who did not have confirmed COVID. This is probably due to prolonged stress, social isolation, and instability caused by the pandemic," explained one of the authors of the work, neurologist Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad.

At the same time, the researchers emphasized that accelerated aging was not accompanied by cognitive deterioration and could be reversible. According to them, large-scale social upheavals can have a noticeable impact on the brain, even if a person remains physically healthy.