Neural Variability Increases During Development Before Stabilizing in Adolescence, New Research Finds

Recent research highlights that the variability of brain activity, known as neural variability, systematically increases throughout childhood and adolescence, reaching a plateau around ages 15 to 17. This pattern suggests that the brain becomes more flexible in its functioning as individuals navigate a range of new experiences during development. The study analyzed multiple neurodevelopmental datasets, examining how brain activation patterns fluctuate over time and across different regions of the brain. Findings consistently show that neural variability rises with age before stabilizing in mid-adolescence.

Additionally, scientists employed machine learning techniques to develop models that predict an individual's executive functions—such as working memory and cognitive control—based on their neural variability. Deviations from this typical developmental trajectory were linked to poorer executive functioning, indicating that atypical neural variability patterns could affect crucial cognitive abilities.

The researchers are exploring how factors like stress influence neural variability and whether this variability continues to change with aging. As people grow older, some evidence suggests a decline in neural flexibility, potentially contributing to decreased executive function in older adults. Understanding these processes could shed light on the development of psychological conditions like depression and anxiety, which often emerge during adolescence. Overall, this research underscores the importance of neural flexibility during development and its potential impact on mental health and cognitive performance.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-brain-variable-stabilizing-adolescence.html