A recent study by the University of Cambridge has identified five main stages of brain development. The study involved around 4,000 people, some up to 90 years old, using brain scans to examine the connections between their brain cells. Researchers say the findings help in understanding the risks of mental health disorders and dementia throughout life.
According to the study, the stages are as follows:
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Childhood (from birth to age 9): This is the period when the brain grows in size but eliminates excessive connections between its cells.
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Adolescence (from age 9 to 32): This is the period of the most profound changes in the brain. Synaptic connections form, and the brain becomes less effective. Previously thought to end in the early 20s, it is now known to continue into the early 30s. This is the time when the risks of mental health disorders are highest. Instead of working as one cohesive unit, the brain begins to divide into regions that function independently, like members of a musical band starting their own solo projects.
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Adulthood (from age 32 to 66): This is a period of relative stability for the brain. Changes are slower than in the previous stage. The brain works more directly, in contrast to adolescence, when it functioned more like a child playing freely in a park.
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Early aging (from age 66 to 83): There is little data on this stage because it is difficult to find healthy brains for study. However, this is the age when conditions like dementia and high blood pressure may begin to appear.
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Late aging (from age 83 onwards): This is the final stage. Here, we begin to observe that the improvements in brain efficiency reverse, and changes occur in the opposite direction compared to earlier periods.
