Lockdowns had ‘lasting impact’ on brain health

Higher dementia risk for over-50s after pandemic

Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and other restrictions have had a “real, lasting impact” on the brain health of people over the age of 50, researchers suggested.

Older people’s cognitive function and working memory declined more rapidly during the pandemic, regardless of whether they were infected with Covid-19, a study has found.

This could be down to factors exacerbated by the pandemic, such as not exercising enough and drinking too much alcohol, as well as loneliness and depression.

Researchers from the United Kingdom’s University of Exeter and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London analysed brain function tests from more than 3,000 people who took part in the Protect Study, launched in 2014 to gain an insight into the brain function of people over 40 over a 25-year period.

The group assessed was aged between 50-90.

The team compared data from Mar 2019 - Feb 2020 to data collected during the pandemic’s first year (Mar 2020 - Feb 2021) and second year (Mar 2021 - Feb 2022).

Analysis showed the rate of cognitive decline quickened in the first year of the pandemic, and was higher among those who already had shown signs of mild cognitive decline before the Covid-19 outbreak.

The pattern continued into the pandemic’s second year, which researchers said suggests an impact beyond the initial national lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

“Our findings suggest that lockdowns and other restrictions we experienced during the pandemic have had a real, lasting impact on brain health in people aged 50 or over, even after the lockdowns ended,” says Anne Corbett, professor of dementia research and Protect Study lead at the University of Exeter.

She adds that it is “now more important than ever” to make sure people showing signs of early cognitive decline are supported.

“If you are concerned about your memory, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your [family doctor] and get an assessment,” Corbett says.

“Our findings also highlight the need for policymakers to consider the wider health impacts of restrictions like lockdowns when planning for a future pandemic response.”

Dag Aarsland, a professor of old-age psychiatry at King’s College, said: “This study adds to the knowledge of the long-standing health consequences of Covid19, in particular for vulnerable people such as older people with mild memory problems.

“On the positive note, there is evidence that lifestyle changes and improved health management can positively influence mental functioning. The current study underlines the importance of careful monitoring of people at risk during major events such as the pandemic.”

The findings have been published in the medical journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity.