Studies examining the effect of social isolation on cognitive function typically involve older adults and/or specialist groups (e.g., expeditions). We considered the effects of COVID-19-induced social isolation on cognitive function within a representative sample of the general population. We additionally considered how participants ‘shielding’ due to underlying health complications, or living alone, performed. We predicted that performance would be poorest under strictest, most-isolating conditions. At five timepoints over 13 weeks, participants (N = 342; aged 18–72 years) completed online tasks measuring attention, memory, decision-making, time-estimation, and learning. Participants indicated their mood as ‘lockdown’ was eased. Performance typically improved as opportunities for social contact increased. Interactions between participant sub-groups and timepoint demonstrated that performance was shaped by individuals' social isolation levels. Social isolation is linked to cognitive decline in the absence of ageing covariates. The impact of social isolation on cognitive function should be considered when implementing prolonged pandemic-related restrictive conditions.

中文翻译：

---

COVID-19 锁定期间的社会隔离会损害认知功能

检查社会隔离对认知功能影响的研究通常涉及老年人和/或专家组（例如，探险）。我们在一般人群的代表性样本中考虑了 COVID-19 引起的社会隔离对认知功能的影响。我们还考虑了参与者因潜在的健康并发症或独居而“屏蔽”的表现。我们预测，在最严格、最孤立的条件下，性能将是最差的。在 13 周内的五个时间点，参与者（N= 342; 年龄 18-72 岁）完成了测量注意力、记忆力、决策、时间估计和学习的在线任务。参与者表示他们的情绪随着“封锁”得到缓解。随着社交接触机会的增加，绩效通常会有所提高。参与者子组和时间点之间的交互表明，绩效是由个人的社会孤立程度决定的。在没有衰老协变量的情况下，社会孤立与认知能力下降有关。在实施与大流行相关的长期限制条件时，应考虑社会隔离对认知功能的影响。