Recent research suggests that adolescence may last longer than previously thought.
Conducted by a team at the University of Cambridge, the study identified five distinct brain development stages, highlighting pivotal ages: nine, 32, 66, and 83.
The research examined approximately 4,000 individuals, ranging in age up to 90, using brain scans to assess neural connections.
The findings indicate that the brain remains in an adolescent state until the early thirties, with a peak in development occurring around this period.
Researchers suggest these insights could shed light on why the risk of mental health disorders and dementia shifts with age.
Dr. Alexa Mousley, the study’s lead author, explained to the BBC: “The brain rewires across the lifespan. It’s always strengthening and weakening connections and it’s not one steady pattern – there are fluctuations and phases of brain rewiring.”
The research delineates five distinct stages of brain development.
Childhood spans from birth to nine years, adolescence from nine to 32, adulthood covers ages 32 to 66, early aging from 66 to 83, and late aging begins at 83.
Although individuals may reach these milestones at different times, the researchers found these ages to be significant in the data.
In response to the study’s findings, social media users shared their thoughts. One commented: “Kinda comforting honestly — all of us fumbling through our twenties were just… biologically in extended adolescence the whole time. Makes so much make sense now.”
Another user expressed: “So basically I’ve been a teenager this whole time? Explains a lot.”
Another comment read: “So apparently we’re all teenagers until 32 now. Cambridge basically said your brain doesn’t fully adult until your early thirties — which explains why half of us are still making questionable life choices well past 25.”
While past research has noted developmental differences between men and women, this data from the University of Cambridge does not specifically address gender variations.
Duncan Astle, Professor of Neuroinformatics at the University of Cambridge, involved in the research, noted: “Many neurodevelopmental, mental health and neurological conditions are linked to the way the brain is wired. Indeed, differences in brain wiring predict difficulties with attention, language, memory, and a whole host of different behaviours.”