Study: Teens' brains aged faster during the 1st year of pandemic
The brains of U.S. teens have physically changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, aging faster than normal, a new study says.
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The brains of U.S. teens have physically changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, aging faster than normal, a new study says.
The brains of adolescents who were assessed after the pandemic shutdowns ended appeared several years older than those of teens who were assessed before the pandemic. Until now, such accelerated changes in “brain age” have only been seen in children experiencing chronic adversity, such as neglect and family dysfunction.
Pandemic-related stressors have literally altered the brain structure of teens, making them appear several years older.
The toll of the COVID-19 pandemic might have physically altered adolescents' brains, Stanford University researchers said Thursday in an alarming report.
Study also found poorer mental health but it is unclear whether this is linked to brain age difference