Studies point to brain changes caused by the pandemic in adolescents

During the pandemic, diagnoses of anxiety and depression had a significant increase. At Stanford University, researchers found that, especially during the extended period of lockdown, the brains of teenagers aged about three years, thanks to the psychological factors that affected the all.

Read more: Impacts of the pandemic: vulnerable children learned only 50% of what they should

There is a need to expand research related to mental health

The research developed with adolescents was named “Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Brain Maturation in Adolescents”. The sample consisted of adolescent collaborators between 15 and 18 years old.

About seven researchers participated in this research group, who used the methodology to compare magnetic resonance imaging before and after the pandemic. According to the images, the brain alterations indicated that the organ had characteristics that it was three years older.

These changes were present in the parts of the brain responsible for memory, concentration, learning, emotion, reactivity and judgment. A greater volume of the hippocampus and amygdala, the sites that control access to memories and the formation of emotions, was observed.

This finding reaffirms that the stresses developed during the pandemic, in addition to affecting mental health, also physiologically impacted brain structures.

Teenagers' brains in the pandemic

Previous studies only linked these changes with children who suffered from violence, neglect, family dysfunction or a combination. More studies are still needed to assess the influence of these changes on the future of young people, but the brain changes caused by the pandemic are evident.

For this, the researchers reinforce the need for financial support from the government.

While this conclusion is significant, according to the experts, it does not come as a surprise to the scientific community. This is because an increase in the number of cases and severity of anxiety disorders, OCD, depression and risks associated with suffering has already been observed.

One of the researchers, Elkins, also identified after a pediatric screening at his clinic that 60% of children had a recent history of self-harm or suicidal ideation. For them, this was justified by the lack of social support and the isolation suffered during the blockades, as well as greater school stress.

The change in academic system and the current comeback has triggered a concern that they won't be able to catch up caused by the pandemic.

The research team intends to continue the study and evaluate the participants in adulthood, checking the functioning of the brain. In addition, they intend to investigate whether there was a change in the brain structure of children who contracted Covid-19.