2023-11-05 18:19:32
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A study from Great Britain provides results regarding the effects of the lockdown during the corona pandemic: One age group is particularly affected.
London – The Corona pandemic still casts a long shadow: While more and more is becoming known regarding the long-term consequences of Corona, new therapeutic approaches are intended to alleviate the symptoms of Long Covid. But in addition to the obvious consequences of a Covid infection, other effects of the pandemic are also becoming known.
In the past, a study from Wuhan showed the first signs of an increased risk of dementia following a severe course of Covid. British researchers have now found that cognitive performance has declined significantly, particularly in people aged 50 and over. And that too without being sick with Covid.
Mental decline in people over 50: researchers come to a clear conclusion
What consequences does the pandemic have on the cognitive state of old people? A British research team asked this question. Among them is Prof. Anne Corbett from the University of Exeter Medical School, who specializes in dementia and cognitive health in old age. The team used the data from the Protect Study as a basis and published their findings in the renowned medical journal The Lancet.
The study’s research data came from a cognitive test that around 3,000 participants from Great Britain between the ages of 50 and 90 completed over several years. Mental skills such as logic, problem solving and memory were tested. The result: “The Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant deterioration in cognitive abilities in older adults”. In addition, the risk of developing dementia increased significantly during this period.
During the first year of the pandemic, a significant deterioration in mental abilities was already observed – both in people who had previously suffered from mild cognitive impairment and in others. In the second year, the memory of the test subjects in the entire cohort in particular continued to decline.
Lack of exercise, alcohol, depression – this is why cognitive performance declines
In contrast to previous studies, infection with the coronavirus is not seen as the main cause. The effect of the lockdown plays a much more central role. The researchers came to the conclusion that in the first year the lack of exercise, increased alcohol consumption, loneliness and depression were the triggers for the decline in mental abilities. These factors also played a major role in the second year.
Another reason is also seen in the poor access to medical institutions: “Because of the lockdown, many individuals had no access to care facilities, so opportunities to identify cognitive risks at an early stage were probably missed.”
Data as a basis for the next corona pandemic – we should do better
The steady decline in mental health of over-50s during the Covid pandemic in the UK is food for thought. Compared to the time before Corona, the decline in mental abilities has increased by 50 percent – along with an increased risk of dementia.
Researchers identify loneliness and depression as risk factors for cognitive decline. © Imago Images
The British research team underlines the importance of taking the data from their work into account in future pandemics: The result particularly highlights the need to better protect risk groups from isolation and the negative effects of lockdown.
It’s not just old people who are at risk of dementia. Unfortunately, a teenager was diagnosed with dementia in 2023. However, there are always examples of how a life with dementia can still be worth living. This is shown in the documentary “Diagnosis of Dementia”.
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