Khaberni - A recent study from Cambridge University shows that the human brain experiences five major developmental stages throughout life, with critical transition points at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 years, explaining that the brain may remain in adolescence until the early thirties.
According to the study, discussed on (With Al-Hakeem) program on Al Jazeera Live, childhood extends until the age of nine and experiences rapid brain growth, followed by adolescence from 9 to 32 years old, where networks of neurons become more efficient. However, this period is also associated with an increased likelihood of psychiatric disorders, while the peak of mental efficiency is achieved in the early thirties.
The Brain Continuously Reorganizes Itself
The study's results indicate that the phase of adulthood and relative stability extends from the early thirties until the age of 66 years, where some cognitive abilities begin to gradually decline.
The final phase includes early and late old age up to the age of 83 and beyond, during which the brain starts to divide into more independent regions, with an increase in the impact of age-related diseases such as dementia and high blood pressure.
The study confirmed that the brain continuously reorganizes itself throughout the stages of life, and these transformations coincide with major life milestones such as reaching maturity, parenthood, and old age, opening broader prospects for understanding mental health and ways to prevent related diseases.
