Covid-19 lockdowns had ‘lasting impact’ on brains of over-50s, study finds – South China Morning Post

Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and other restrictions have had a real, lasting impact on the brain health of people over the age of 50, researchers have suggested.

Researchers from the United Kingdoms University of Exeter and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at Kings College London analysed brain function tests from more than 3,000 people who took part in the so-called Protect Study, launched in 2014 to gain an insight into the brain function of people over 40 over a 25-year period.

The group the researchers assessed, based in the UK, was aged between 50 and 90.

The team compared data from March 2019 and February 2020 to data collected during the pandemics first year (March 2020 to February 2021) and second year (March 2021 to February 2022).

5 nutrients good for brain health that can delay dementia, or prevent it

The pattern continued into the pandemics second year, which researchers said suggests an impact beyond the initial national lockdowns in the UK in 2020 and 2021.

Our findings suggest that lockdowns and other restrictions we experienced during the pandemic have had a real, lasting impact on brain health in people aged 50 or over, even after the lockdowns ended, says Anne Corbett, professor of dementia research and Protect Study lead at the University of Exeter.

She adds that it is now more important than ever to make sure people showing signs of early cognitive decline are supported.

If you are concerned about your memory, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your [family doctor] and get an assessment, Corbett says.

How 21-day quarantine damages mental health, with long-lasting effects

Our findings also highlight the need for policymakers to consider the wider health impacts of restrictions like lockdowns when planning for a future pandemic response.

We know a great deal of the risks for further decline, and now can add Covid-19 to this list.

The findings have been published in the medical journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity.

See original here:

Covid-19 lockdowns had 'lasting impact' on brains of over-50s, study finds - South China Morning Post