Brain Development Continues Well into Later Life, New Study Reveals
PARIS – Contrary to long-held beliefs, the human brain doesn’t fully mature in adolescence or young adulthood, but undergoes five distinct phases of development extending past age 80, according to a new study published in Nature Communications. Researchers have identified key ages – 9, 32, 66, and 83 – marking important shifts in brain wiring and organization.
The study highlights a period of explosive growth from birth to age 9, where the brain rapidly forms billions of new connections while simultaneously pruning unused ones.Both gray matter, responsible for details processing, and white matter, which transmits information, experience rapid growth, fostering learning and cognitive development.
This initial phase is followed by a period of maturation lasting until around age 32, during which communication networks refine and connections between different brain regions are optimized. this stage is critical for consolidating cognitive and social skills.
After age 32, the brain’s structure generally stabilizes for approximately three decades. However, around age 66, early signs of aging begin to appear, characterized by a progressive degradation of white matter and connections, increasing vulnerability in certain brain functions.
after age 83, connectivity continues to decline, and the brain increasingly relies on key areas. These distinct phases may explain the typical onset of certain disorders, such as learning difficulties in childhood and memory loss or dementia in older age.
“Our brains also go through periods of transition, much like our lives,” explains Duncan Astle, led author of the study. Understanding these developmental stages could allow researchers to more effectively target educational and medical interventions for specific age groups.
