A recent study that has caught the attention of the scientific community has revealed that the human brain does not develop at a constant pace throughout life, but rather, it evolves with certain pivotal points. The research, which examined brain scans of approximately 4,000 individuals, identified five main stages of development spanning from birth to the age of 90.
According to research, the human brain undergoes specific stages from childhood to advanced age. These stages and age ranges have been clearly defined. The studied brain scans revealed that development does not progress in a continuous and linear manner, but rather, significant changes occur at certain turning points.
The five main periods that the brain undergoes are listed as follows:
Childhood: From birth to 9 years old
Adolescence: From 9 years old to 32 years old
Adulthood: From 32 years old to 66 years old
Early aging: From 66 years old to 83 years old
Late aging: 83 years old and beyond
During childhood, the brain not only grows rapidly, but also starts to shed excessive connections. In this process, unused synapses are cleared out and active connections are strengthened. Simultaneously, there is an increase in the amount of grey and white matter, the cortical thickness reaches its peak, brain folds are balanced, and in a sense, the brain's connectivity structure is reorganized.
Upon entering adolescence, the communication networks in the brain become more efficient and sophisticated. The coordination between connections improves and cognitive skills are enhanced. According to researchers, the infrastructure that allows mental abilities to reach their peak is established during this period.
Another noteworthy finding of the study is that the brain completes its most significant structural changes around the age of 32. During this period, the brain structure becomes more stable, and personality and intelligence traits largely set in place. Connections within the brain begin to adopt a more compartmentalized arrangement, and the brain regions start to operate in a more specialized manner.
However, a decline in brain connections is observed after the age of 66. This reduction is associated with the deterioration of white matter that comes with aging. The changes become more distinct and pronounced in the period following the age of 83. The researchers also point out that these phases correlate with an increased risk of dementia and similar neurological diseases.