
03/09/2025
Attention and Focus Abilities Peak Between Ages 27 and 36
A large-scale meta-analysis of nearly 140 neuroimaging studies reveals that brain activity related to cognitive control follows a clear inverted U-shaped trajectory across the human lifespan.
Activity increases through childhood and adolescence, peaks between ages 27 and 36, and then declines gradually with age.
The findings explain why attention and self-regulation are strongest in adulthood, aligning with peak intellectual maturity.
They also highlight the importance of maintaining brain health in midlife to slow age-related decline.