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Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
Neurobiology of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders
Aditi Sharma1, Jonathan D Morrow2
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Mailstop OA.5.154, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98105-0371, USA.
Abstract:
There are many facets of the neurobiology of substance use that are distinct in adolescence as compared with adulthood. The adolescent brain is subject to intense subcortical reward processes, but is left with an immature prefrontal control system that is often unable to resist the pull of potentially exciting activities like substance use, even when fully aware of the dangers involved. Peer influences serve only to magnify these effects and foster more sensation-seeking, risky behavior. The unique aspects of neurobiology should be taken into consideration when designing prevention programs and clinical interventions for adolescent substance use disorders.
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