Article Summary:
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the human brain undergoes four significant structural changes throughout a person’s lifetime, dividing the lifespan into five distinct developmental phases based on analysis of 4,000 brain scans from people aged 0 to 90.
The five phases are:
- Childhood (0-9 years):
- Adolescence (9-32 years):
- Adulthood (32-66 years):
- Early Aging (66-83 years):
- Late Aging (83+ years):
Researchers emphasize that brain development is a continuous process throughout life, not limited to childhood. Factors like diet, exercise, and social connections can influence brain development and aging.
The study challenges the notion of a “good” or “bad” brain structure and highlights the dynamic nature of human brain development.