University of Washington researchers studied about 160 MRI scans taken from a group of children and teens, ages 9 to 17, collected in 2018, and compared them to 130 scans taken after the pandemic (2021-2022).
They found that a process called cortical thinning (part of normal aging) was more advanced than expected among teens during the pandemic.
While cortical thinning occurs naturally, some studies have linked accelerated thinning to exposure to anxiety or stress and an increased risk of developing these disorders later in life.
The study found differences in the parts of the brain that age in boys and girls. For example, while both sexes had more advanced aging in the part of the brain associated with processing visual information, girls also experienced earlier thinning in areas associated with emotion, interpreting faces and understanding language (all areas critical for facilitating effective communication).
“The girl who went into the lab at 11 and came back at 14 now had a brain that looked like an 18-year-old,” said study author Patricia Cole, an expert in learning and brain sciences in Washington.
She also revealed that she believes part of the difference reflects teenage girls‘ greater reliance on social relationships than their male counterparts.
Cole added that the findings were “a reminder of how vulnerable teens are,” and suggested that parents find time to talk to their children about their experiences with the Covid pandemic.
However, some experts cautioned against over-interpreting the study’s results.
Bradley Peterson, a pediatric psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles who was not involved in the study, noted a number of limitations, including that while the researchers were careful to link the brain changes to social isolation caused by quarantine, there are other possibilities, such as increased screen time, social media use and lack of exercise.
He also said the observed thinning may not be a bad thing, and could “represent an adaptive response in the brain that has given us greater emotional, cognitive and social flexibility.”
The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Source: Daily Mail
#Study #reveals #impact #Covid #pandemic #brains #adolescents
2024-09-11 16:07:30
Table of Contents
Teen Girls’ Brains Aged Rapidly During Pandemic, Study Reveals
A recent study conducted by University of Washington researchers has found that teenage girls’ brains underwent rapid aging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which analyzed MRI scans of children and teens between the ages of 9 and 17, discovered that girls experienced cortical thinning at a faster rate than boys during the pandemic.
Cortical Thinning: A Natural Process Accelerated by Stress
Cortical thinning is a natural process that occurs as we age, where the brain’s cortex loses thickness. However, accelerated cortical thinning has been linked to exposure to anxiety and stress, increasing the risk of developing mental health disorders later in life.
Differences in Brain Aging between Boys and Girls
The study found that both boys and girls experienced advanced aging in the part of the brain associated with processing visual information. However, girls also showed earlier thinning in areas associated with emotion, interpreting faces, and understanding language – all critical for effective communication. According to study author Patricia Cole, an expert in learning and brain sciences, this difference may be due to teenage girls’ greater reliance on social relationships than their male counterparts [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1].
The Implications of Rapid Brain Aging
The study’s findings have significant implications for teenage girls, who may be more vulnerable to the effects of stress and anxiety during the pandemic. As Cole noted, “The girl who went into the lab at 11 and came back at 14 now had a brain that looked like an 18-year-old” [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1]. This rapid aging can have long-term consequences for their mental health and well-being.
MRI Scans Reveal Rapid Brain Aging
The study used MRI scans to compare brain structure before and after the pandemic. The scans revealed that girls’ brains appeared 4.2 years older than expected, compared to 1.4 years for boys [2[2[2[2[2[2[2[2].
Expert Reactions and Limitations
While the study’s findings are significant, some experts have cautioned against over-interpreting the results. Bradley Peterson, a pediatric psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, noted several limitations of the study [3[3[3[3[3[3[3[3].
Conclusion
The study’s findings serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of teenagers, particularly girls, during the pandemic. Parents and caregivers can play a crucial role in supporting their children’s mental health by engaging in open conversations about their experiences during this challenging time. As Cole suggested, “find time to talk to your children about their experiences with the Covid pandemic” [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1].
Optimized keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, cortical thinning, teenage girls, brain aging, mental health, stress, anxiety, MRI scans, University of Washington researchers.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic specifically affect the brain development of teenage girls compared to boys?
Teen Girls’ Brains Aged Rapidly During Pandemic, Study Reveals
A recent study conducted by University of Washington researchers has found that teenage girls’ brains underwent rapid aging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which analyzed MRI scans of children and teens between the ages of 9 and 17, discovered that girls experienced cortical thinning at a faster rate than boys during the pandemic.
Cortical Thinning: A Natural Process Accelerated by Stress
Cortical thinning is a natural process that occurs as we age, where the brain’s cortex loses thickness. However, accelerated cortical thinning has been linked to exposure to anxiety and stress, increasing the risk of developing mental health disorders later in life.
Differences in Brain Aging between Boys and Girls
The study found that both boys and girls experienced advanced aging in the part of the brain associated with processing visual information. However, girls
