More connectivity suggests girls' brains really do mature faster than boys' brains.

Brain scans of around 9000 kids aged 9-11 years old have shown that girls have higher connectivity in some areas of the brain than boys.

The authors of the report say this suggests that girls' brains mature faster than boys' brains. 

The study found differences in brain connectivity between the sexes were also linked to differences in cognitive performance. 

The authors say having a better understanding of what normal brain development looks like could help us screen for psychiatric neurodevelopmental disorders and guide more personalised care. 

The full report is accessible here.