Remodeling the Adolescent Brain

Abstract

Chapter 4 focuses on research based primarily on imaging studies of the human adolescent brain. It highlights the extent of changes that occur, as well as the protracted nature of these changes, which take place over the second and third decades of life. Major themes of this chapter include (a) spatial and temporal differences in the adolescent development of particular brain regions; (b) puberty (i.e., gonadal hormones influence some, but not all, aspects of adolescent brain development); and (c) the timing and rate of developmental changes are critically important. Research on adolescent changes in white matter and connectivity is reviewed. The chapter also addresses aspects of adolescent development that are typical versus atypical, as well as the limitations of imaging approaches to understanding adolescent brain development.