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Brain Development Across Ages

The human brain develops through 5 stages from birth to older age. The first stage from 0 to 10 months focuses on neuronal growth where a stress-free environment for the pregnant woman is important. The second stage from birth to 6 years sees development of movement, reasoning and perception abilities as the brain reaches 95% of its adult weight. The third stage from 7 to 22 years involves pruning of neural connections and myelination of the brain. The fourth stage from 23 to 65 years reaches peak brain power at age 22 and sees a decline starting in executive functions. The final stage of older than 65 years sees loss of brain cells in areas responsible for memory as lifestyle changes can help promote brain health.

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Joanne Tolopia
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487 views1 page

Brain Development Across Ages

The human brain develops through 5 stages from birth to older age. The first stage from 0 to 10 months focuses on neuronal growth where a stress-free environment for the pregnant woman is important. The second stage from birth to 6 years sees development of movement, reasoning and perception abilities as the brain reaches 95% of its adult weight. The third stage from 7 to 22 years involves pruning of neural connections and myelination of the brain. The fourth stage from 23 to 65 years reaches peak brain power at age 22 and sees a decline starting in executive functions. The final stage of older than 65 years sees loss of brain cells in areas responsible for memory as lifestyle changes can help promote brain health.

Uploaded by

Joanne Tolopia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • 5 Stages of Human Brain Development: Explains the importance and characteristics of each stage in human brain development from birth to old age.

5 Stages of Human Brain Development

Throughout the lifetime of the human brain it continues to undergo changes. I cannot stress the
importance of each stage and how we need to nourish and protect our brain growth from 0 to 100 and
hopefully beyond!
Let’s review each of the five stages of human brain growth:
Stage 1: 0 to 10 months 
 Neurons and connections growing.
 Pregnant woman should stay as stress-free as possible, take folic acid, B6 & B12, stimulate
this young developing brain with sounds and sensations. Mother should avoid toxins, cigarettes,
heavy metals, alcohol, drugs.
Stage 2: birth to 6 years
 Development of voluntary movement, reasoning, perception, frontal lobes active in
development of emotions, attachments, planning, working memory, and perception. A sense of
self is developing and life experiences shape the emotional well being.
 By age six, the brain is 95% its adult weight and peak of energy consumption.
 Caregivers need to provide nurturing environment and daily individualized communication.
Negative or harsh treatment may come with emotional consequences in the future.
Stage 3: 7 to 22 years
 The neural connections or ‘grey’ matter is still pruning, wiring of brain still in progress, the fatty
tissues surrounding neurons or ‘white’ matter increase and assist with speeding up electrical
impulses and stabilize connections. The prefrontal cortex is the last to mature and it involves the
control of impulses and decision-making.
 Therefore, teenagers need to learn to control reckless, irrational and irritable behavior.
Avoiding drugs, alcohol, smoking, unprotected sex and substance abuse.
Stage 4: 23 to 65 years
 Finally, the brain reaches its peak power around age 22 and lasts for 5 more years.
Afterwards, it’s a downhill pattern. Last to mature and the first to go are the brain functionality of
executive control occurring in the prefrontal and temporal cortices. Memory for recalling
episodes start to decline, processing speed slows and working memory is storing less
information.
 Best approach is to stay mentally active, learn new things, stay physically active and eat a
very healthy diet. Avoid toxins, cigarettes, alcohol and mind-altering drugs.
Stage 5: older than 65 years
 Brain cells are lost in the critical areas such as the hippocampus responsible for processing
memories.
 Learn new skills, practice mediation to promote neutral emotions, exercise to improve
abstract reasoning and concentration.
 Avoid stress or incorporate stress reducing mediation and exercises.
 Eat a healthy diet with foods to nourish one’s level of dopamine.

5 Stages of Human Brain Development Throughout the lifetime of the human brain it continues to undergo changes. I cannot stre

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