UNDERSTANDING AN ADOLESCENT'S BRAIN- IS IT ACTUALLY SIMPLE?

Image Source: https://movingscience.dk/infographic-about-the-adolescent-brain-development/

It really doesn't matter how smart an adolescent is, or how well they scored in NEET/JEE/SAT or whatever. Adolescence is a remarkable phase of human development, often marked by a unique blend of curiosity and self-discovery. I know it's been really long since I have posted here, and one of my friends wanted me to write on how an adolescent's brain behaves so distinctly compared to kids and adults- and so this is for her and for everyone else sitting with their curious caps on!

The adolescent brain is a dynamic landscape of neuroplasticity, where synapses are pruned and rewired to optimize cognitive function. This plasticity not only facilitates learning, but also paves the way for development of higher-order thinking and decision making. A rapid increase in the connections between the brain cells also occurs, which makes the neural pathways more effective. 

For both boys and girls, although your brain may be as large as it might seem to be, your brain doesn't finish developing and maturing until mid-to-late 20's. The front part of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex- the area responsible for planning, prioritizing and controlling impulses, is one of the last brain regions to fully mature.  

The limbic system develops years ahead of the prefrontal cortex. This development of the limbic system is very crucial in determining rewards and punishments and even processing emotional experience and social information. During this period of adolescence, the pubertal hormones target the amygdala directly. Brain scans confirm that cognitive control, revealed by fMRI studies, is not fully developed until adulthood because the prefrontal cortex is limited in connections and engagement. Additionally, changes in levels of both the neurotransmitters- dopamine and serotonin in the limbic system, makes adolescents more emotional and responsive to stress and rewards. 

During adolescence, dopamine levels increase and even its input to the prefrontal cortex increases. This increased dopamine activity in adolescence could probably be the reason for increased vulnerability to boredom, in adolescence. Serotonin, known as the 'calming neurotransmitter' eases stress and tension. It puts a brake on the excitement and sometimes recklessness that dopamine can produce. A defect in the serotonin processing in the brain can result in impulsive or violent behaviour. When stress becomes extreme, the adolescent brain is flooded with impulses that overwhelm the prefrontal cortex, and as a result, adolescents are observed to have increased emotional outbursts- possibly because the frontal lobes are still developing.

During early puberty, there is an overproduction of axons and synapses, followed by rapid pruning in later adolescence. Specifically, there is dendritic pruning in the amygdala, nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex and continual growth in the density of fibers connecting the amygdala and prefrontal cortex into early adulthood. Regions that involve primary functions, such as sensory and motor systems, develop earliest compared to the higher-order association areas that integrate these primary functions. The amygdala's role in fear processing is well-established and this is related to how risk is assessed. The hippocampus plays a key role in encoding emotional memory via its connections with the amygdala. The neural networks involved in the perception of facial emotions, understanding other people's perspective, and empathetic response are also not fully mature until adulthood and social behavior is still a skill under construction. 

As a result of usual brain development, sleep onset starts to occur later than in childhood. It is thought that the adolescent sleep-wake cycle- the circadian rhythm, is affected by the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system which is considered to be the centre of homeostatic regulation and the hypothalamus- the brain's timekeeper. Of course, the environment can shift the circadian rhythm even worse- due to lighting, studies, television, mobile phones and social media. This changing circadian rhythm is a likely contributor to some of the 'typical' characteristics of adolescents. They can still be tired and grumpy in the morning, despite a good night's sleep, as a result. 

During adolescence, establishing good connections becomes more valued than never before. As adolescents become more concerned with fitting in, this period of adolescence is a period of increase in awareness of how others see them, increasing their sense of self consciousness. They become more concerned with their appearance and body image, particularly in terms of how they are evaluated by the society. Some young people are rejected or ignored by peers, and even a network of brain regions involved in the experience of social ignorance was identified- which included major parts of the prefrontal cortex, that is still developing!

So, it is totally ok, if you feel lonely, left out or not included, never try to fit in- it is just a phase of your brain development! Be yourself and give your brain the time it needs to develop completely- there are so many people out there cherishing your originality and your resilience and patience in letting your prefrontal cortex develop peacefully at its pace! Your synapses always have your back!

Image Source: https://psychpedia.blogspot.com/2013/04/understanding-teenage-brain.html