Pandemic Accelerates Brain Aging, Evident Even in Those Not Affected by Disease
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A new study published in Nature Communications has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated brain aging in people, even among those who did not contract the virus. The research, led by computational biologist Mahdi Moqri at Harvard Medical School and co-authored by Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad, suggests that social isolation, psychological stress, disruptions to normal routine, and reduced activity levels during the pandemic may have contributed to the observed accelerated brain aging.
The study used AI models to analyze MRI scans from thousands of healthy adults with an average age of 63, comparing scans taken before and during the pandemic. The brains of people who lived through COVID aged an average of 5.5 months faster compared with those in the control group.
While the study did not identify a specific cause of the accelerated brain aging, it attributes these changes largely to the stressors of the pandemic environment—such as social isolation, lifestyle disruption, and financial and mental stress—rather than the infection itself in those uninfected.
Notable cognitive decline, such as reduced mental agility, appeared primarily in participants who had contracted COVID-19 between scans. This suggests that faster brain aging from pandemic-related stress alone does not necessarily translate into immediate impairments in cognition or memory.
The potential long-term consequences of this accelerated brain aging include increased vulnerability to neurodegeneration and dementia, possible exacerbation of cognitive decline, especially in older adults infected with SARS-CoV-2, and the pandemic’s broader social and health inequalities likely worsening these effects via poorer nutrition, reduced physical activity, and increased alcohol use.
However, uncertainty remains about whether the observed accelerated brain aging is reversible, as follow-up brain scans beyond the pandemic period are limited. The study did not provide information on what works to extend lifespan or slow the aging process in retirees.
To keep your mind sharp and maintain brain health, consider adopting a healthy diet (such as the Mediterranean diet), maintaining an active social life and strong social connections, and staying excited about life. Avoiding the damage to your brain caused by the pandemic may not be possible, but focusing on brain health going forward can help undo some of the harm done.
[1] Moqri, M., & Mohammadi-Nejad, A.-R. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates brain aging. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1-13.
[2] Harvard Medical School. (2021, March 11). COVID-19 pandemic accelerates brain aging, study shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 2, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210311140853.htm
[3] University of Oxford. (2021, March 11). COVID-19 pandemic accelerates brain aging. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 2, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210311140853.htm
[4] UK Biobank. (n.d.). About UK Biobank. Retrieved May 2, 2021 from www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/about-uk-biobank/
[5] Nature Communications. (2021, March 11). COVID-19 pandemic accelerates brain aging. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 2, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210311140853.htm
- The COVID-19 pandemic, through its associated stressors, may have accelerated brain aging in people, highlighting the importance of mental health in the context of health-and-wellness.
- A goal for education-and-self-development could be learning about lifestyle changes that can help mitigate the effects of accelerated brain aging, such as regular fitness-and-exercise and a balanced diet.
- As we age, understanding the implications of accelerated brain aging can lead to personal-growth and a focus on maintaining mental health, fostering the pursuit of activities that promote brain health and cognitive function.
