A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic may be linked to more rapid brain aging. Researchers examined the effects of the pandemic — not the disease itself — on brain aging by comparing the "brain age gap" on MRIs taken before and after the pandemic's onset.

A new study published in Nature Communications finds that living through the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain aging by an average of 5.5 months-even among people who were never infected.

The stress of lockdowns, fear and social isolation appear to have left a mark on our brains. Experts say it may be possible to counteract the changes.