Researchers from the PsychAD consortium have published a genomic atlas confirming that youth ends at 24 years old. This study details the development of the prefrontal cortex and its implications for adult life.
A new study reveals that youth ends at 24 years, according to a genomic atlas created by researchers from the public consortium PsychAD. This work, supported by the National Institute on Aging in the United States, focuses on the prefrontal cortex, a key area for cognitive and emotional processing. The information, advanced by Nature, suggests that the brain maturation process is completed at this age.
The analysis includes a transcriptomic map obtained from 284 donors aged between 0 and 97 years. The findings indicate that the prefrontal cortex follows a non-linear trajectory throughout life, with significant changes during early development and stabilization in adulthood.
Professor Juan Lerma from CSIC highlights that this study supports the idea that brain maturation extends beyond adolescence, concluding at 24 years old. This implies a turning point in neuronal development, which could have repercussions on education and social interaction.
The atlas also provides important information for studying aging and cognitive decline, which could help understand the impact of external factors, such as social media use or substance consumption, on brain development.
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