When Does a Man’s Brain Develop?
The development of a man’s brain begins in the womb and continues throughout life. During the prenatal period, the brain is rapidly developing and forming connections that will be used for learning and behavior later in life. After birth, the brain continues to develop and mature until adulthood.
Prenatal Development
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the neural tube forms which will eventually become the brain and spinal cord. By week 8, the neural tube has closed and the brain is beginning to form. By week 12, the brain is divided into three parts: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The forebrain is responsible for higher-level thinking such as problem solving and decision making. The midbrain controls movement and coordination while the hindbrain regulates basic functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Postnatal Development
After birth, a man’s brain continues to develop at an incredible rate. During infancy, neurons are rapidly forming connections with each other which will be used for learning and behavior later in life. As a child grows older, these connections become more complex allowing them to learn new skills such as language or motor skills. By adolescence, most of a man’s brain has developed but it continues to mature until adulthood.