I just wonder why they used 20-somethings. In previous posts about brain development it’s been noted that the brain isn’t really completely fully developed until about 25. If the 20-somethings were below 25, I wonder if that really is a good model of an adult brain. Perhaps adults of around 30 might be a better benchmark to get a real picture of how a fully developed, adult brain works.
When you consider that the brain is most receptive to information prior to the age of six and sets up self-limiting blocks after that (a self-defense measure?) it’s amazing any of us live beyond 50. We human beings are unique for surviving on the added intelligence our brains provide while our bodies lag behind many of the simpler animal’s ability to withstand the forces of nature.
One recent article said we lack the memory ability of chimpanzees. I say we obviously have enough memory and innate talent for innovation to be typing these responses on this forum while the chimps are picking parasites off their buddies.
We are probably the only creatures aware of our own mortality and the implications of our impact on the overall time line...providing that dolphins are total hedonists and whales are captives of their subsonic tradition transference loop.
“A team led by Harvard neuroscientists Jessica Andrews-Hanna and Randy Buckner used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor brain activity in 38 young adults, mostly 20-somethings, and 55 older adults, age 60 or above.”
They used 55 older adults, age 60 or above. I think that qualifies as a fully developed brain.