Study: Functional Brain Changes Begin After Age 66
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered that after the age of 66, the human brain begins to lose functionality. This finding is based on the analysis of diffusion MRI scanning data of brain activity from 3,802 individuals aged between 0 and 90 years.
Scientists conducted a study aimed at determining the age periods in which significant changes in brain function occur. According to the study’s results, the average human life is divided into five key stages. These stages include childhood, adolescence, adulthood, early aging, and late aging, with four “turning points” identified in between.
The childhood period covers ages from 0 to 9 years, when the brain actively develops and reorganizes. Cognitive abilities continue to change between the ages of 9 to 32, which researchers refer to as the “adolescent period.” Intelligence reaches its peak after the age of 35, transitioning into the maturity stage.
Upon reaching 66 years, the brain begins to weaken in functionality, entering the “early aging” phase. At this stage, there is a decrease in white matter connectivity, which may increase the risk of neurological conditions such as hypertension. The last phase, “late aging,” occurs from age 83, characterized by a significant decline in brain structure connectivity.
This study is important because it helps to better understand how the brain changes throughout life and what factors may contribute to its health or deterioration. Experts warn that understanding changes in the brain may contribute to the development of strategies for improving quality of life in old age.
| Life Stage | Age | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Childhood | 0–9 years | Brain development and reorganization |
| Adolescence | 9–32 years | Changes in cognitive abilities |
| Adulthood | 35+ years | Stabilization of intelligence |
| Early Aging | 66+ years | Decrease in white matter connectivity |
| Late Aging | 83+ years | Decline in brain connectivity |
