WASHINGTON: A new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated brain ageing in teenagers. The research, led by Dr Patricia K. Kuhl from the University of Washington, found that girls’ brains aged an average of 4.2 years faster, while boys’ brains aged 1.4 years faster than expected. This study is the first to highlight sex-specific differences in pandemic-related brain ageing.
The study tracked 130 adolescents in Washington State, initially scanned in 2018, with follow-up MRIs delayed by the pandemic. The results show accelerated cortical thinning in 30 brain regions for girls and 2 regions for boys. The research supports the “stress acceleration hypothesis,” which suggests that high-stress environments may lead to earlier brain maturation as a protective response.
While the study provides valuable insights, it has limitations, including the lack of a control group and unmeasured variables like socioeconomic status. The study underscores the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the need for continued investment in adolescent mental health and crisis preparedness. — Agencies
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