New research from the University of Nottingham shows the COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated brain ageing by over five months, even in people who were never infected, due to stress and lifestyle changes
Recent research conducted by a team at the University of Nottingham has revealed a striking connection between the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated brain ageing, which appears to affect individuals even if they were never infected with the virus. This study highlights how the psychological distress and lifestyle changes triggered by the pandemic have left a lasting imprint on the brain, potentially accelerating brain ageing by over five months. The results were published in the esteemed journal Nature Communications.
Investigating the impact on brain health
The study involved a comprehensive analysis of longitudinal brain MRI scans collected from nearly 1,000 healthy adults participating in the UK Biobank study. The researchers examined scans from individuals who had undergone imaging both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and compared them with those from individuals who had only pre-pandemic scans. By employing advanced neuroimaging techniques combined with machine learning algorithms, the team was able to estimate each participant’s brain age, essentially measuring how their brain’s structure compares to what would be expected for their chronological age.
The brain age estimation model was meticulously developed using data from over 15,000 healthy individuals without any pre-existing medical conditions. This robust dataset enabled researchers to create an accurate framework for assessing changes in brain structure attributable to external factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expert insights into findings
Professor Dorothee Auer, a prominent figure in neuroimaging and the senior author of the study, remarked on the broader implications of the findings: “This study serves as a poignant reminder that brain health is not solely influenced by illness but also by our everyday surroundings.” She emphasised the detrimental effects of the pandemic on individuals’ mental wellbeing, especially for those already facing socio-economic disadvantages. While the research does not definitively confirm whether these neurological changes will revert over time, Auer expresses optimism about the potential for recovery, describing it as a hopeful outcome.
Co-senior author Professor Stamatios Sotiropoulos, who specialises in computational neuroimaging, noted, “The longitudinal MRI data acquired before and after the pandemic from the UK Biobank granted us a rare opportunity to observe how such a significant life event can influence brain health. This research provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between external stressors and cognitive function.”
Examining urgent changes among specific groups
The study’s findings are significant, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated brain ageing by an average of 5.5 months across the sample population, irrespective of infection status. The researchers observed that participants who underwent brain scans after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic showed noticeably higher brain age estimates compared to those whose scans were conducted before the pandemic. This effect was particularly pronounced among older adults, men, and individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
While broad structural changes in brain ageing were evident, cognitive performance metrics showed measurable decline only in those participants who contracted COVID-19. These individuals exhibited difficulties such as slower cognitive processing and reduced mental flexibility. The conclusions drawn from this study suggest that the intense stress and significant disruptions to lifestyle brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic had profound neurological effects on individuals, pointing to the need for an increased focus on mental health and cognitive resilience in the wake of such societal upheaval.
