The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives globally—but its impact may go deeper than we realized. According to a new study published in Nature Communications, living through the pandemic accelerated brain ageing in otherwise healthy adults—by an average of 5.5 months.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Nottingham, this longitudinal study suggests that the stress, isolation, and uncertainty of the pandemic may have altered our brain biology—even in people who never contracted COVID-19.
What the Study Found
Using advanced machine learning models trained on the UK Biobank’s extensive neuroimaging database, researchers evaluated the “brain age” of 996 participants before and after the pandemic. Brain age refers to how old your brain appears biologically, compared to your actual age.
Key findings:
- Average acceleration in brain age: 5.5 months
- More pronounced effects in men
- Higher ageing in individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds
- Cognitive decline was only noted in those who were infected with COVID-19
This means while most people didn’t suffer noticeable mental deficits, the structural ageing of their brains still advanced.
What’s Behind the Brain Ageing?
The study points to chronic stress as the most likely culprit. Even without physical illness, the collective strain of:
- Social isolation
- Economic uncertainty
- Health-related anxiety
- Disruption of daily routines
…may have left a lasting biological imprint.
Supporting Evidence:
Previous studies show that loneliness and perceived isolation can lead to brain changes associated with accelerated ageing, including reduced grey matter and impaired neural connectivity.
As Professor Dorothee Auer, the study’s senior author, explains:
“This study reminds us that brain health is shaped not only by illness, but by our everyday environment.”
Did COVID-19 Infection Make Things Worse?
Yes, but in a different way. Participants who contracted COVID-19 between MRI scans showed:
- Reduced cognitive flexibility
- Slower processing speeds
This implies that direct infection affects brain function, while simply enduring the pandemic without infection primarily influenced brain structure and ageing markers—without immediate symptoms.
Will the Brain Recover?
That remains uncertain.
While the long-term implications are unclear, researchers are cautiously optimistic. Brain ageing isn’t always permanent—especially if it’s linked to environmental stressors rather than physical damage.
“We can’t yet test whether the changes we saw will reverse, but it’s certainly possible, and that’s an encouraging thought,” said Auer.
Why This Matters
This study is a powerful reminder that brain health is influenced by more than disease. Social stress, inequality, and isolation all affect our brain’s resilience—and likely contribute to long-term mental and physical health outcomes.
Understanding this can:
- Inform future public health planning
- Drive investment in mental health services
- Encourage interventions that reduce stress and social isolation, especially during crises
FAQs
What is ‘brain age’?
It’s a scientific estimate of how old your brain appears biologically, based on MRI scans and computational models, compared to your actual age.
Is accelerated brain ageing the same as cognitive decline?
Not necessarily. This study found structural ageing without functional impairment in most cases—except those who were infected with COVID-19.
Can brain ageing be reversed?
Possibly. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, social connection, stress management, and cognitive training may slow or even reverse some signs of ageing.
