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Mysterious changes in gray matter: What happens to the brain from childhood to adolescence?
Gray matter, as its name implies, is an important tissue structure in the brain. Its main components are neuron cell bodies, dendrites and non-myelinated axons. In addition, gray matter also contains glial cells and many structures related to neurotransmission. Research shows that the formation and development of gray matter accompanies our growth, especially from childhood to adolescence. Brain changes at this stage have a profound impact on an individual's physical and mental development.
Grey matter begins to decrease in volume starting at age 8, but its density increases with age.
Structure and function of gray matter
Gray matter plays an important role in different areas of the brain, including motor control, perception (such as vision and hearing), memory, emotion, language, decision-making, and self-control. It is mainly found in the surface layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, as well as the cerebellum and spinal cord. In the spinal cord, gray matter is divided into three main gray matter columns in the shape of the "letter H": anterior gray matter columns, posterior gray matter columns and lateral gray matter columns. These structures are closely related to the transmission of movement and sensation.
The anterior gray matter column contains movement-related neurons, and the posterior gray matter column is the synaptic location of sensory neurons.
Grey matter in development
As we grow, gray matter is not static but constantly changing. Especially early in life, gray matter exhibits significant fluctuations in volume and density. According to research, from about the age of 8, the volume of gray matter begins to decrease, a change that indicates the maturation of brain structure. In addition, the gray matter characteristics of men and women also differ, with men having relatively larger gray matter volumes but lower density than women, and these differences may be related to their psychological and behavioral characteristics.
Changes in gray matter are not only related to age, but may also be affected by multiple factors such as environment, genetics and lifestyle.
Clinical relevance
Gray matter is of great significance in clinical psychology. Excessive alcohol consumption was found to be associated with significant reductions in gray matter volume, while chronic cannabis use was reported to be associated with reductions in gray matter volume in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. It is worth noting that these changes are often accompanied by impairments in emotional and cognitive functions, especially in adolescents.
Some studies even indicate that significant changes in brain structure occur during pregnancy, with a reduction in gray matter volume related to social cognition that may persist for at least two years postpartum.
The history and etymology of gray matter
As for the history of gray matter, the Latin "substantia grisea" is its official name. The use of this term marks the early research and understanding of brain structure. Although the adjective "grisea" was not widely used in classical Latin, its French root "gris" survives in today's languages. Although the terms "substantia cana" and "substantia cinerea" were also used, "substantia grisea" became the generally accepted name.
This designation reflects the historical understanding of human anatomy and the evolving body of knowledge as science advances.
Future research directions
Future research on gray matter will not be limited to developmental processes. Research at the intersection of mental health, neuroscience and behavioral science will be a hot area, especially when exploring interactions with external factors. How different patterns of brain development and the resulting psychological traits influence each other deserves further study.
As our understanding of gray matter continues to deepen, its role in human emotional and intellectual development will become an even more important topic of discussion. How many unrevealed mysteries does this part of the brain hide in our growth?
