After quarantine, women’s brains were on average 4.2 years older. And for men the number is only 1.4 years.
Quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the aging process of the brain in children from 9 to 17 years old, and this effect was felt more by girls. The Guardian reported this.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed changes in the brain structure of children who survived disabilities.
The cerebral cortex, which usually weakens with age, showed signs of premature aging in the children after quarantine. In boys, the thinning occurred in one part of the brain, while in girls, it occurred in 30 different parts of both hemispheres. On average, women’s brains looked 4.2 years older than expected, while for men the difference was 1.4 years.
The study found that these changes occur in areas of the brain responsible for social cognition, emotional processing, and language comprehension—critical functions for communication. According to scientists, girls rely more on social interaction, which explains their vulnerability to stress during separation.
Scientists believe that these changes can have a negative impact on cognitive function and increase the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in young adulthood. More research is needed to fully understand the effects, but experts urge parents to pay attention to the importance of social support for teenagers.
It was previously reported that more than 64 thousand cases of COVID-19 were registered in Ukraine in August, which exceeded the average for this period.
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Source: korrespondent
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.