Covid lockdowns prematurely aged girls' brains more than boys', study finds
A study found adolescent girls experienced greater brain ageing than boys during Covid lockdowns, with girls' brains appearing 4.2 years older. Experts emphasize the need for mental health support for adolescents.
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A recent study has found that adolescent girls experienced more significant brain ageing during the Covid lockdowns compared to boys. MRI scans indicated that girls' brains appeared, on average, 4.2 years older than expected, while boys' brains showed an increase of 1.4 years. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involved scanning 160 participants aged 9 to 17 before and after the lockdowns. Both genders exhibited signs of accelerated cortical thinning, but the changes were more widespread in girls, particularly in areas related to social cognition, emotional processing, and language comprehension. Experts suggest that this disparity may stem from girls' greater reliance on social interactions for emotional well-being. While the long-term implications of these changes remain uncertain, they could potentially impact mental health and learning capabilities. Researchers emphasize the importance of supporting adolescents' mental health in the aftermath of the pandemic and encourage parents to engage in open conversations with their children about their experiences during this challenging period. Further studies are needed to explore the specific factors contributing to these changes and their lasting effects.
- Adolescent girls showed more significant brain ageing than boys during Covid lockdowns.
- MRI scans revealed girls' brains appeared 4.2 years older, while boys' brains were 1.4 years older.
- Changes in girls' brains affected areas critical for social cognition and emotional processing.
- Experts stress the need for mental health support for adolescents post-pandemic.
- Open communication between parents and teens is encouraged to address pandemic-related experiences.
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