COVID-19 Lockdowns Linked to Memory, Cognitive Decline: UK Study

Emerging evidence reveals that the far-reaching consequences of pandemic lockdowns include a decline of cognitive function and memory in older adults.

An elderly resident at Santo Antonio retirement house in Figueira da Foz, waves from his window to his relatives, who stand on a manlift crane to keep their social distance, in Portugal, on May 7, 2020. Carlos Costa/AFP via Getty Images

The stringent lockdown measures implemented worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic have been found to significantly affect the working memory and cognitive function of older individuals, raising concerns about an elevated risk of dementia, according to a comprehensive UK study.

Researchers in the UK delved into neuropsychology data from over 3,100 individuals aged 50 and above, examining cognitive health trends before and after the first two years of the pandemic.