2023-11-07 20:07:22
Loneliness and Depression Identified as Factors in Cognitive Decline among Older Adults
By: Anna Laura Müller
London – A recent study published in the specialist journal, The Lancet, has identified loneliness and depression as risk factors for cognitive decline in adults over the age of 50. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Exeter and King’s College in London, analyzed data from the Protect study, a long-term study launched in 2015 to understand how the brain ages and reduce the risk of dementia and mental health risks.
The researchers found that since the beginning of the corona pandemic, there has been a noticeable decrease in brain performance in older adults, regardless of Covid infection. The study evaluated data from 3,124 participants over the age of 50 who took part in computer-assisted brain function tests before the pandemic and during the first and second years of the pandemic.
The analysis revealed a significant deterioration in short-term memory and the ability to solve complex tasks during the first year of the pandemic, especially in individuals who were already experiencing age-related cognitive decline. This decline continued in the second year, and the researchers attributed it to factors such as decreased exercise, increased alcohol consumption, and heightened feelings of loneliness and depression.
According to the researchers, lack of exercise, increased alcohol consumption, and feelings of loneliness and depression are known risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. However, they emphasized that it is not too late to take measures to stop this decline and reduce the risk of dementia. Previous research has shown that physical activity, treating existing depression, and socializing with others are important ways to maintain brain health.
The researchers urged the healthcare system to pay more attention to this group and called on politicians to use the results of the study to prepare for future pandemics. They also clarified that while dementia and age-related decline in memory and concentration share similarities, they are not the same. Age-related decline in cognitive abilities is normal in old age, but steps can be taken to mitigate its impact.]
#Brain #damage #corona #pandemic #study #reveals #alarming #decline #performance