Spanish
A recent scientific study determined that the human brain goes through five well-defined phases from infancy to old age, marked by changes in its structure and neuronal connectivity.
During childhood (0-9 years), the brain grows rapidly and synaptic pruning processes occur, eliminating little-used connections and reinforcing the most active ones. Around the age of 9, a reorganization begins that can increase vulnerability to certain mental health disorders.
In early adulthood (9-32 years), neural networks are refined and white matter increases, consolidating brain maturity by age 32. Between 32 and 66 years, the brain remains stable, with few structural changes, maintaining intelligence and personality. From the age of 66 and especially after 83, a decrease in communication between brain regions is observed, typical of aging.
Researchers highlight that these findings explain why certain cognitive challenges appear at specific stages of life and emphasize that brain maturity arrives later than previously believed, around the age of 32.
