Behavioral and Brain Correlates of Emotional Distress in Older Adults during COVID-19 Quarantine

Ori Benari*, Ramit Ravona Springer, Ganit Almog, Iscka Yore, Maya Zadok, Hung Mo Lin, Yuxia Ouyang, Mary Sano, Barbara B. Bendlin, Abigail Livny, Anthony Heymann, Michal Schnaider Beeri

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

COVID-19 led to unprecedented lockdowns and changes in older adults' lives, especially those with type 2 diabetes who have high risk of complications and mortality. We investigated the associations of cognitive and motor function and gray matter volumes (GMVs) with COVID-19 lockdown-related emotional distress of type 2 diabetes older adults, participating in the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline Study. We administered a questionnaire to obtain information about anxiety, depression, general well-being, and optimism during a mandated lockdown. Lower grip strength before lockdown was associated with increased sadness, anxiety, and less optimism. Slower gait speed was associated with greater sadness. Lower GMV was related to greater anxiety during the lockdown when compared with anxiety levels before the COVID-19 outbreak. Yet, global cognition was not associated with any emotional distress measure. These results support the role of good motor function on emotional well-being during acute stress and GMV as a potential underlying mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)156-159
Number of pages4
JournalAlzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • elderly
  • emotional distress
  • high risk
  • lockdown
  • motor function

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