Researchers from the University of Washington have revealed “alarming” results of a study that noted the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on teenagers’ brains. The study looked at 160 people aged 9 to 17 in 2018, with the intention of studying brain changes through adolescence. However, when the pandemic disrupted the study in 2020, when researchers returned to the subjects in 2021, they found “stunning difference,” according to Patricia K. Kuhl, study co-author.

The researchers had found that the teens’ cerebral cortexes had thinned at a much more rapid pace than normal, a typical sign of aging. Chronic stress can also be a cause of such accelerated thinning and can by tied to anxiety and depression. The study found that on average, boys’ brains accelerated at a rate of 1.4 years, while girls’ accelerated at a much faster rate of 4.2 years. “We know that in adult women with anorexia nervosa, cortical atrophy or brain thinning correlates with starvation,” said Dr. Ellen S. Rome, head of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Adolescent Medicine. “We saw such a rise of disordered eating in the pandemic and beyond; future research can help tease out whether this study reflects that increase in eating disorders in girls during the pandemic versus some other factors,” she added.

The study’s lead author, Neva Corrigan, Ph.D., stated the data is a red flag for parents. “We recommend that parents of children who were teens during the pandemic stay connected to their teens, and also look out for signs of depression and anxiety, as accelerated cortical thinning increases the risk of developing these and other neuropsychiatric disorders.” The findings also highlight the importance of social connections for teens and their development. Corrigan noted that it is unclear if the findings indicate any long-term impact on teens. “It is not clear whether the cerebral cortex of these teens that showed accelerated maturation will return to a thickness that is more appropriate for their age with time, or whether these effects are permanent.” A bigger sample size would help, as well as noting if contracting COVID-19 might have had any impact.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist not involved with the study, noted how the increased stress levels could indicate worse mental health levels in the future. “Over time, these changes may predispose individuals to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are already known to be exacerbated by high cortisol levels,” he said. “While the pandemic is over, this is not the end.”