Adolescence Lasts Into 30s - New Study Shows Four Pivotal Ages For Your Brain (bbc.com)
(Tuesday November 25, 2025 @11:42AM (msmash)
from the how-things-work dept.)
- Reference: 0180207527
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/11/25/168211/adolescence-lasts-into-30s---new-study-shows-four-pivotal-ages-for-your-brain
- Source link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl6klez226o
The brain goes [1]through five distinct phases in life , with key turning points at ages nine, 32, 66 and 83, scientists have revealed. From a report:
> Around 4,000 people up to the age of 90 had scans to reveal the connections between their brain cells. Researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that the brain stays in the adolescent phase until our early thirties when we "peak." They say the results could help us understand why the risk of mental health disorders and dementia varies through life. The brain is constantly changing in response to new knowledge and experience -- but the research shows this is not one smooth pattern from birth to death.
>
> Some people will reach these landmarks earlier or later than others -- but the researchers said it was striking how clearly these ages stood out in the data. These patterns have only now been revealed due to the quantity of brain scans available in the study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl6klez226o
> Around 4,000 people up to the age of 90 had scans to reveal the connections between their brain cells. Researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that the brain stays in the adolescent phase until our early thirties when we "peak." They say the results could help us understand why the risk of mental health disorders and dementia varies through life. The brain is constantly changing in response to new knowledge and experience -- but the research shows this is not one smooth pattern from birth to death.
>
> Some people will reach these landmarks earlier or later than others -- but the researchers said it was striking how clearly these ages stood out in the data. These patterns have only now been revealed due to the quantity of brain scans available in the study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl6klez226o
32? "Never trust anyone over 30" (Score:1)
by davidwr ( 791652 )
That's what the hippies said in the '60s, or so I've heard.
Forget about 25 (Score:2)
by thecombatwombat ( 571826 )
Now every time someone on the internet says your brain isn't developed until 25, can we start saying 83?
What's the range? (Score:3)
For each of the stages, the numbers given seem like absolutes: 9, 32, 66 and 83
Surely these are averages.
Are there differences between male and female?
Lots more to learn here.
Re:What's the range? (Score:4, Informative)
Here is the source paper: [1]https://www.nature.com/article... [nature.com]
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65974-8
Re: (Score:2)
TFA shows difference between male and female
The research does show step changes at 9,32,66, 83 ages. (Of course, these are not exact ages for everyone but there are step changes.
TFA is a very good read.