I have been reading a lot in the science news about all the research going on related to the 2 year shutdown and its effects on us. This article below talks about how a study was done on teenagers before and after the shutdown, and the results are very alarming to me. These teenagers are the future of our society and damage done to them will affect us all eventually.
So, here is this article for you to check out. This should alarm you also. The study size is more than adequate to show that the findings, though not verified by other studies yet, are valid. I will be looking for more or future studies on this to see how these results stand up.
It really doesn't need to be validated to cause you some alarm. If just a small number of adolescents globally were affected so negatively, then the potential for a serious problem exists.
Here is the synopsis:
Recent studies, including those presented at a major neuroscience conference, reveal alarming changes in the brain development of adolescents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This period, marked by school closures and social isolation, has intensified the pre-existing decline in the psychological health of American teenagers.
Key findings from the University of Washington show an unusual acceleration in the thinning of the cerebral cortex among teenagers during the pandemic. This research, led by Patricia Kuhl, involved 124 adolescents and highlighted a more pronounced effect in female participants. The thinning of the cortex, a normal part of growth, appeared to be fast-tracked during the lockdown, with some teenagers' brains resembling those of older adolescents.
The implications of this accelerated brain aging are profound, potentially affecting learning capabilities, emotional well-being, and cognitive functions. The research team is also exploring the role of social media during this critical period.
Another perspective comes from Harvard Medical School's Caterina Stamoulis, who examined how adolescent brains were prepared to handle such a crisis. Using data from the largest U.S. study on brain development and child health, Stamoulis' team assessed the organization and efficiency of brain networks in adolescents. They found that weaker brain circuits were linked to increased sadness and stress during the pandemic years.
These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to support the mental health of youth during extraordinary events like the COVID-19 pandemic. They also highlight the importance of understanding brain development as a factor in adolescents' emotional and mental resilience.
Whew! That is a mouthful, but the information presented is interesting and engaging. I for one look forward to learning more about this topic and I hope you are also moved to watch out for more news about it. I know I am a science geek and most are not, but some topics should be interesting to anyone. I think this is one.
