Cambridge Neuroscientists Reveal Brain's Youth Extends Until Age 32

Groundbreaking neurobiological research originating from the University of Cambridge is fundamentally reshaping traditional timelines regarding human brain development. Published on November 25, 2025, in the esteemed journal Nature Communications, this study reveals that the period of adolescence, defined by the architecture of brain networks, actually extends up to age 32, significantly past the previously assumed endpoints of 18 or 25 years. Leading this investigation was Dr. Alexa Mousley, a Gates Cambridge Scholar, working alongside Professor Duncan Astle, a Cambridge Professor of Neuroinformatics.

The team meticulously analyzed diffusion MRI scans gathered from approximately 3,800 participants, spanning the entire human lifespan from infancy through to 90 years old. This extensive dataset allowed for an unprecedented look into the structural evolution of the brain over decades.

The analysis pinpointed four critical age milestones—9, 32, 66, and 83 years—which delineate five distinct phases of brain maturation. These phases are categorized as Childhood (birth to 9 years), Adolescence (9 to 32 years), Adulthood (32 to 66 years), Early Aging (66 to 83 years), and Late Aging (83 years onward). The extended adolescent phase is particularly noteworthy.

Adolescence, as redefined by this work, is unique because it encompasses the sole period characterized by a continuous increase in both neural efficiency and white matter volume. The peak of this development occurs precisely at age 32, marking the most substantial topological shift within the brain’s complex neural networks. Following this 32-year mark, the brain transitions into a stabilization phase. While neural efficiency begins a slow decline, cognitive abilities and personality traits tend to remain relatively stable, essentially hitting a plateau.

Subsequent to this stabilization, the onset of Early Aging is observed around age 66. This stage involves a measurable reduction in white matter density and alterations in the overall network architecture. These changes are associated with an increased susceptibility to age-related neurological conditions. The findings suggest that the extension of adolescence directly correlates with heightened vulnerability to mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, which frequently manifest during the 20s and 30s when the brain is still undergoing significant remodeling.

It is important to note that the study’s results primarily reflect data gathered from Western populations, specifically participants in the USA and the UK. The researchers acknowledge that cultural norms and societal expectations significantly influence the transition into what is socially perceived as adulthood, potentially affecting these biological markers in different global contexts.

This extensive research effort built upon large-scale cohort data, including valuable contributions from the CALM (Centre for Attention, Learning and Memory) study. The results pave the way for substantially improved diagnostic tools and a deeper comprehension of both developmental trajectories and degenerative brain diseases. The authors suggest that current legal and social definitions of adulthood may lag behind the biological realities uncovered by this research, signaling a need for ongoing societal dialogue.

Overall, this investigation represents the first comprehensive mapping of human brain wiring across the entire lifespan. It powerfully illustrates that brain development is not a smooth, linear progression but rather a staged process punctuated by distinct, significant transition points.