Researchers from the University of Nottingham used MRI-based brain-age modeling on 1,000 UK Biobank participants, comparing scans taken before the pandemic to those taken during 2021–2022. They found that people who experienced pandemic-related stress showed an average increase of 5.5 months in brain age gap (BAG)—regardless of actual infection status
Who Was Most Affected?
- Gender: Men had slightly larger brain age acceleration than women.
- Age & Background: Older adults and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds had more pronounced effects. Cognitive performance declined only among those who’d contracted COVID‑19.
- Broader Impact: Stress—not just infection—played a key role in accelerated aging, via social isolation, disrupted routines, and chronic psychological strain
Teens Also Show Accelerated Aging—But by Years
Earlier research from Stanford University found that teenagers’ brains aged an extra 3 to 4 years during pandemic lockdowns. The study compared MRI scans of Bay Area teens before vs. after the March–2020 lockdowns. The accelerated aging was tied to increased anxiety, depression, and stress—effects similar to those from early-life adversity
Further data from the University of Washington showed adolescent girls’ brains aged 4.2 years faster, while boys’ aged 1.4 years faster—based on accelerated cortical thinning linked to social isolation
🧠 How Stress Impacts the Brain
- Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which impairs neurogenesis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex—regions vital for memory and executive function. This may speed up structural brain aging and shrink brain volume over time
- Repeated isolation and reduced cognitive engagement further reduce brain resilience—especially in older or health-vulnerable individuals
🤔 Real-World Implications
| Age Group | Average Brain Aging |
|---|---|
| General adults | +5.5 months (average) |
| Teenagers | +3–4 years (post-lockdown cohort) |
- The average adult brain aging was small and may not cause noticeable daily decline—but remains statistically significant
- Accelerated aging in teens—especially girls—could raise long-term risks for mental health and cognitive issues
✅ What It All Means
- Brain health extends beyond infection: Emotional and environmental stressors like isolation and uncertainty also accelerate biological brain aging.
- Support is key: Interventions—such as counselling, social reconnection, exercise, and enriched mental engagement—may help reverse or slow effects.
- Long-term tracking needed: Studies are ongoing to determine if accelerated brain aging stabilizes or reverses as normalcy returns
