New study shows how your brain changes at four key ages: 9, 32, 66 and 83

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🗞️ Driving the news: New research published in Nature Communications identifies four distinct phases of brain development across a lifespan: 9, 32, 66, and 83 years
• The study shows that brain changes are not linear but occur at key turning points
• This challenges the conventional view that brain development stabilizes after early life

🔭 The context: Led by Alexa Mousley at the University of Cambridge, the study analyzed over 4,000 brain scans from ages 0 to 90
• It highlights critical developmental changes around key ages, offering a deeper understanding of how the brain rewires at various stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, early aging, and late aging

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This research enhances our understanding of brain function, providing a framework for addressing age-related cognitive decline and mental health
• By supporting brain health across the lifespan, society can foster a more educated, resilient population to face global challenges, including the urgency of sustainability and climate change

⏭️ What’s next: Future research could explore the connections between brain changes and cognitive function, helping to unlock strategies for more effective interventions in aging and mental health.

💬 One quote: “There are pros and cons to every developmental stage.” — Katie Insel, psychologist

📈 One stat: The human brain continues to change throughout life, with over 700 new neural connections being formed every second during early childhood

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