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Braking and Accelerating of the Adolescent Brain
Bj Casey1, Rebecca M Jones, Leah H Somerville
1Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA.
Summary
Adolescent behavior, including risky choices, stems from an imbalance between heightened sensitivity to rewards and developing cognitive control. Understanding this brain development is key to addressing adolescent challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Adolescence is marked by increased impulsive and risky behaviors, including substance abuse and unintended pregnancies.
- Existing neurobiological and cognitive models inadequately explain nonlinear behavioral changes during this period.
- This gap highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of adolescent decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a biologically plausible framework for understanding nonlinear adolescent behavior.
- To conceptualize adolescent behavioral changes as an imbalance between motivational sensitivity and cognitive control.
- To review recent evidence supporting this neurobiological perspective.
Main Methods:
- Review of human neuroimaging studies.
- Analysis of animal model research on adolescent brain development.
- Synthesis of findings on subcortical limbic and top-down control systems.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests differential maturation of subcortical (limbic) and cortical (control) systems during adolescence.
- Heightened sensitivity to motivational cues appears to coexist with immature cognitive control.
- This imbalance provides a neurobiological basis for adolescent risk-taking behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent suboptimal choices are linked to a developing brain, specifically the interplay between reward sensitivity and executive functions.
- Future research should focus on the transition periods into and out of adolescence.
- Understanding these developmental trajectories is crucial for interventions and public health strategies.
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