Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Pandemic Accelerated Brain Ageing, Study Finds
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic made people's brains age faster, about 5.5 months more than usual.
This happened to everyone, even if they didn't get COVID-19.
The researchers think this might be because of things like being isolated or feeling worried during the pandemic.
The brain changes were biggest in older people, men, and people who were already having a hard time.
Interestingly, people who had COVID-19 also had trouble with thinking, but this wasn't the case for those who didn't have the virus.
The good news is that these changes might be fixed over time, but it's important to help people who are struggling.
A UK study found the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain ageing by 5.5 months, regardless of infection status.
Changes in brain age were most noticeable in older individuals, men, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Brain ageing correlated with reduced cognitive performance only in COVID-infected participants.
The study suggests pandemic-related brain ageing may be partially reversible.
Researchers used AI-powered models trained on MRI scans to measure 'brain age gap'.
- Who
- Researchers at the University of Nottingham led the study.
- What
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain ageing.
- When
- The study analyzed brain scans taken before and after the pandemic.
- Where
- The study was conducted in the UK.
- Why
- The pandemic's impact, including factors like isolation and uncertainty, may have affected brain health.
Vulnerable Groups
Reversibility
Differing Impacts
Vulnerable Groups
People in disadvantaged backgrounds were more affected.
Reversibility
Brain ageing may be partially reversible.
- Study Focus
- Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on brain ageing
- Brain Age Acceleration
- 5.5 months
- Affected Demographics
- Older individuals, men, disadvantaged backgrounds
- Cognitive Impact
- Reduced performance in COVID-infected participants
- Study Publication
- Nature Communications
- Research Lead
- Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad
- Methodology
- AI-powered analysis of brain scans