Containment measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic may have had serious consequences for the brains of adolescents, promoting their aging. This disturbing result emerges from a study, published in the journal ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences‘, conducted by scientists at the University of Washington. The team, led by Patricia Kuhl, assessed the maturation of the cognitive organ by measuring the thickness of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of tissue in the brain. The cerebral cortex naturally thins with age. Scientific literature shows that chronic stress and adversity can accelerate cortical thinning, which has been associated with a greater risk of developing neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders. During the spread of the new coronavirus, governments around the world have introduced restrictive measures, such as lockdowns and school closures. It has been widely documented that this disruption of daily routines and social activities has had a negative impact on the mental health of adolescents.
This segment of the population is, in fact, in a period of transition, characterized by dramatic changes in emotional, behavioral and social development and the formation of a sense of self-identity, self-esteem and self-control. The lack of social interactions during Covid-19 has led to numerous reports of anxiety, depression and stress, especially for girls. In the new work, scientists have shown that lockdowns have been associated with unusually accelerated brain maturation. In particular, an average acceleration of 4.2 years was found in girls, while in their male counterparts an average increase of 1.4 years was observed. “In addition to the aspects of a health crisis,” comments Kuhl, “it is important to consider the profound changes that the pandemic has caused at a psychological level.” The researchers involved 160 adolescents recruited in 2018, with the original aim of assessing changes in brain structure during typical adolescence. The cohort was supposed to return in 2020, but the pandemic postponed retesting until 2021. By then, the original intent of studying typical adolescent development was no longer viable, and the authors sought to gauge the impact of the pandemic through the effects of the restrictions on the study cohort’s brains.
The researchers modeled cortical thinning during adolescence and compared it with scan data. The findings revealed an accelerated thinning in general, which was more pronounced and widespread in females, with all lobes and both hemispheres appearing to be affected. In male counterparts, the effect was only seen in the visual cortex. The researchers speculate that the difference may be due to differences in the importance of social interaction for girls versus boys. “Teens are on the edge,” Kuhl explains, “trying to find their way through life. Their outlets for stress, social interaction, and physical activity, have been cut off by the pandemic. But social pressure and criticism have remained active because of social media. It’s unlikely that the cerebral cortex will thicken again, but we may see signs of a slowdown as normal activities resume.” “Covid-19,” concludes the researcher, “has provided a test bed for the fragility of the adolescent brain. Our research raises a new set of questions about what it means to accelerate the aging process in the brain. Further investigations will be necessary to answer the new questions that still concern the correlation between the pandemic and the health of different population groups.”
#Brain #damage #due #lockdowns #Tempo
2024-09-11 09:25:26
How did COVID-19 lockdowns specifically affect the cortical thickness in adolescent brains compared to pre-pandemic measurements?
Table of Contents
The Devastating Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Adolescent Brain Development
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges to the mental and emotional well-being of adolescents worldwide. Governments’ efforts to contain the spread of the virus have led to widespread lockdowns and school closures, disrupting daily routines and social activities. Recent studies have revealed a disturbing consequence of these measures: the accelerated aging of adolescent brains.
Accelerated Brain Maturation in Adolescents
A study published in the journal ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ found that lockdowns have been associated with unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents [[3]]. The researchers, led by Patricia Kuhl, measured the thickness of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of tissue in the brain, in a cohort of 160 adolescents recruited in 2018. The results showed that the lockdowns had accelerated cortical thinning, which is a natural process that occurs during adolescence [[1]]. However, this acceleration was more
The Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescent Brain Development
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences on various aspects of our lives, including the mental health and brain development of adolescents. Recent studies have shed light on the alarming effects of lockdowns and restrictive measures on the brains of teenagers, suggesting accelerated brain maturation and potential long-term risks.
Understanding the Study
Researchers at the University of Washington, led by Patricia Kuhl, conducted a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences [[3]]. The team assessed the maturation of the cognitive organ by measuring the thickness of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of tissue in the brain. The cerebral cortex naturally thins with age, and chronic stress and adversity can accelerate this process, increasing the risk of developing neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders.
Accelerated Brain Maturation
The study found that lockdowns have been associated with unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. In particular, an average acceleration of 4.2 years was found in girls, while in their male counterparts, an average increase of 1.4 years was observed [[3]]. This premature aging of the brain can have significant implications for the mental health and well-being of adolescents.
The Psychological Impact of Lockdowns
The lack of social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous reports of anxiety, depression, and stress, especially among girls. The disruption of daily routines and social activities has had a negative impact on the mental health of adolescents, who are already in a period of transition characterized by dramatic changes in emotional, behavioral, and social development.
Informing Protective Mechanisms
Understanding the predisposing factors and potential protective mechanisms within adolescent brains is crucial in informing strategies to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic. Research aims to identify ways to support the mental health and well-being of adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of COVID-19 [[1]].
Tackling COVID-19-Induced Brain Inflammation
The Human Brain Project has welcomed two new EU-funded research programs, including the BRAVE project, which proposes tackling COVID-19-induced brain inflammation with computer-designed molecules [[2]]. This innovative approach could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for managing the long-term effects of the pandemic on adolescent brain development.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the brains of adolescents, promoting accelerated brain maturation and increasing the risk of neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders. It is essential to address the psychological consequences of lockdowns and restrictive measures, and to inform strategies that support the mental health and well-being of adolescents. Further research is necessary to fully understand the effects of the pandemic on adolescent brain development and to develop effective interventions.
References
[1] Unveiling the Impact: How COVID-19 Altered Adolescent Brain Development. (2023, November 25). Institute for Human Development and Disability. https://ihdd.org/2023/11/25/unveiling-the-impact-how-covid-19-altered-adolescent-brain-development/
[2] COVID-19 and mental health: Human Brain Project welcomes two new EU-funded research programmes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dbbs.unipv.it/covid-19-and-mental-health-human-brain-project-welcomes-two-new-eu-funded-research-programmes/
[3] COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains. (2024, September 9). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240909160232.htm
