Neue Untersuchungen zeigen, wie die COVID-19-Pandemie-Jugendliche Stressbiologie, veränderte Hormone, Entzündung und Gehirnaktivität auf eine Weise, die ihre Gesundheit für die kommenden Jahre beeinflussen könnte, umgestaltet.

Key Findings

The pre- and post-COVID adolescent groups were similar in all demographic characteristics except BMI, which was higher in the post-COVID group. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant overall effect of pandemic group on endocrine, immune, and neural measures.

For HPA-axis function, post-COVID adolescents had lower total daily cortisol output compared to their pre-COVID peers, while the cortisol awakening response did not differ. The authors interpret this as evidence of a dysregulated HPA-axis response with differential effects on components of the cortisol profile.

Regarding immune function, the post-COVID group displayed higher levels of C-reactive protein, indicating increased systemic inflammation. In terms of neural activity, post-COVID adolescents showed reduced medial PFC activation when receiving monetary rewards and reduced ventrolateral PFC activation during implicit regulation of negative emotions. No group differences were found in nucleus accumbens activation during reward anticipation.

Collectively, these results indicate widespread differences in stress-related biological systems following the pandemic, with lower basal cortisol output, heightened inflammation, and diminished prefrontal engagement during key affective processes

[https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250813/Pandemic-left-measurable-changes-in-teen-brains-hormones-and-immunity.aspx](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250813/Pandemic-left-measurable-changes-in-teen-brains-hormones-and-immunity.aspx)