A recent study by the University of Washington, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. This research reveals significant differences in brain development between genders, with females experiencing more pronounced changes.
Key Findings
Accelerated Brain Maturation: The study, initially designed to track typical adolescent brain development, unexpectedly found that the pandemic accelerated brain maturation. This acceleration was quantified as 4.2 years in females and 1.4 years in males. This was measured by cortical thinning, which is the reduction in the thickness of the cerebral cortex—a natural process that occurs with age.
Impact on Females: The effects were notably stronger in females, affecting the cerebral cortex across all brain lobes and both hemispheres. In contrast, males showed accelerated thinning primarily in the visual cortex. This disparity may be related to the different ways boys and girls typically engage in social activities.
Research Methodology: The study used longitudinal data from 160 adolescents initially collected in 2018. The repeat measurements, delayed until 2021 due to the pandemic, revealed significant changes from the expected patterns of brain development. Over 80% of the original participants returned for follow-up assessments.
Implications for Adolescent Mental Health: The accelerated cortical thinning observed, especially in females, is linked to increased risk for neuropsychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, which are already more prevalent during adolescence. The pandemic’s disruption of social interactions, coupled with heightened stress and reliance on social media, likely contributed to these changes.
Future Directions: Researchers, including lead author Neva Corrigan and co-author Ariel Rokem, suggest that while the accelerated maturation might not reverse, there could be potential for slower thinning and partial recovery with the return of normal social interactions. Future research may focus on cognitive function and further implications of these changes.
Conclusion
The study underscores the profound impact of the pandemic on adolescent brain development, highlighting the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of such disruptions. It poses new questions about the implications of accelerated brain aging and the potential for recovery as normalcy returns.
