"Four thousand participants ages zero to 90 underwent brain imaging so researchers at the University of Cambridge could map their brain cells and neural connections, which change constantly throughout our lifetimes. When assessing the images, they noticed five distinct phases of brain development in age ranges that majorly differ from how we define kids, adolescents, and adults. Those brain phases are:"
"Childhood: From birth to 9 years old. This is when the brain is narrowing down its countless connections and becoming more efficient. Adolescence: From 9 to 32. The brain is working to become incredibly efficient, take in new knowledge, and more. This is also the age range where mental health disorders are most likely to develop, the BBC points out. Adulthood: From 32 to 66. This is a long period of stability for the brain where all the change and growth finally slows down."
"Early aging: From 66 to 83. The connections in the brain begin to shift and the brain's sections - each responsible for different functions - become a bit more siloed. Late aging: From 83 onwards. This is basically just a time period when the changes of early aging accelerate. This age group had the least data for researchers to analyze because it can be hard to find typical, "healthy" brains in this age group."
Four thousand participants aged 0 to 90 underwent brain imaging at the University of Cambridge to map brain cells and neural connections that change across the lifespan. Five distinct brain phases emerged: childhood (birth–9) marked by pruning and increasing efficiency; adolescence (9–32) characterized by intense efficiency, high learning capacity, and the greatest vulnerability window for mental health disorders; adulthood (32–66) defined by prolonged stability with brain function peaking in the 30s; early aging (66–83) showing shifting connections and greater functional segregation; late aging (83+) showing accelerated age-related changes and limited healthy-brain data.
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