The brain health of people over 50 deteriorated faster during the pandemic, even if they had not Covid-19, finds research led by teams from the University of Exeter and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London.
The researchers looked at the results of electronic tests of brain function from more than 3.000 participants aged 50-90 in the UK, specifically the participants' short-term memory and their ability to complete complex tasks.
They found that cognitive decline accelerated significantly during the first year of the pandemic, and this rate was higher in those who already had mild cognitive decline before the pandemic. This continued into the second year of the pandemic, suggesting effects beyond the initial lockdown period. The researchers believe that this ongoing impact is particularly important for current public health and health policy.
Cognitive decline appears to have been exacerbated by a number of factors during the pandemic, including increases in loneliness and depression, less exercise and greater alcohol consumption. Previous research has found that physical activity, coping with depression, giving back to the community and reconnecting with people are all important ways to reduce the risk of dementia and maintain brain health.
The study's leader at the University of Exeter, Professor of Dementia Research, Anne Corbett, points out that the findings "suggest that the lockdowns and other restrictions we've experienced during the pandemic have really had a lasting impact on the brain health of older people 50 years and older, even after the end of the locks." This raises the important question, she continues, "whether people are potentially at higher risk of cognitive decline that can lead to dementia."
“It is now more important than ever to ensure we support people with early cognitive decline, particularly as there are things they can do to reduce their risk of dementia later. So if you're worried about your memory, the best thing to do is make an appointment with your GP and get an assessment,” he adds.
Finally, the findings, says Ms Corbett, "highlight the need for policymakers to consider the wider health implications of restrictions such as lockdowns when planning a future pandemic response".
The research was published in the journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ