Why would the cortex of highly intelligent children show a later thinning by the age of 19?
A) The whole brain shrinks in size, not just the cortex, to allow new connections to form.
B) Given that there is limited space within the skull, the thinning allows for growth in other areas of the brain, such as the medulla.
C) There is less learning at this time of life compared to early childhood, and therefore less need for neural connections.
D) Those neural connections that are unused may die off to make the cortex more efficient in its functions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cortex of highly intelligent children shows a later thinning by the age of 19 because this process is associated with the pruning of unused neural connections, making the cortex more efficient in its functions. This neural pruning is a normal part of brain development, where the brain refines its connections based on experiences and learning.

Why Would the Cortex of Highly Intelligent Children Show a Later