Risky Business

Research shows that the brain development of humans is not complete until the early to mid-20s. Teenagers struggle under the stresses of physical, mental, emotional and cognitive changes. Because their brains are still developing, their ability to make decisions and control impulses is not fully formed. This leads to reckless behavior when it comes to things like sex, drugs, alcohol and driving, to name a few. Adolescents are at the height of their physical strength, flexibility, and immunity of their lifespans. Nevertheless, death rates for 15 - 24 year-olds are more than three times the mortality rates of elementary school children. (Adolescent Risk Taking) There are three types of conduct that have been found by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that lead to the cause of death and illness in adolescents. They are listed below. (Youth Risk Behavior)

• · Injury and violence is the leading cause of death in adolescent’s age 10 - 24 years of age. Adolescent deaths are most often a result of motor vehicle crashes- 30%; homicides- 15%, and suicide- 12%.
• · Alcohol and drug use is a factor in approximately 41% of deaths related to motor vehicle crashes. More youth in the U.S. use alcohol than tobacco or drugs.
• · Risky sexual behaviors – almost half of the 19 million new sexually transmitted infections diagnosed each year in the U.S. are adolescents 15 - 24 years old. Thirty-nine percent of sexually active high school students report not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse.

Due to the underdevelopment of the pre-frontal cortex of teens, they make unwise choices regarding sex. Unless they are educated early about the consequences of these risky behaviors, they will continue to make these choices. Though it may be uncomfortable for parents and health teachers, it is crucial that sex education be introduced early, and that the children are given examples of responsible choices. Teens take risks to examine and express themselves, as they are learning who they are during this period. So while some risk-taking can be detrimental, sometimes it helps them too. These choices can make way to learning new skills, and knowledge that can benefit them in the future. Though risk-taking functions as a method of finding out about oneself, other people and the greater environment, it needs to be monitored by parents and teachers to make sure it doesn’t get out of control. (Sexual Risk Behavior in Teens)



One recent 2011 study by the CDC details a survey of high school teens regarding high-risk sexual behavior. See the results of the survey below.

• · 47.4% had ever had sexual intercourse
• · 33.7% had had sexual intercourse during the previous 3 months, and, of these
• o 39.8% did not use a condom the last time they had sex
• o 76.7% did not use birth control pills or Depo-Provera to prevent pregnancy the last time they had sex
• · 15.3% had had sex with four or more people during their life

These statistics, while alarming, show that students need more detailed information and guidance about embracing and implementing lifetime positions and conducts that promote health and safety. There is also new evidence that links early sexual experiences to emotional problems later in life, such as depression. Adolescent Sex and Brain Development


Trends in the Prevalence of Sexual Behaviors (CDC Report)

Very interesting video about a case against abstinence education with Lawrence Steinburg:

Teen Brains on Trial

Based on the previous information posted in this blog, we know that adolescents are impulsive, and lack organization of thought and decision-making skills due to the undeveloped pre-frontal cortex that controls these actions. Supreme Court decisions since 1988 have been consistently recognizing the research that claims that juvenile offenders have a tendency to be deficient in both social and biological maturity, are more irresponsible, are more vulnerable to peer pressure, and are more at risk from their environments than adults.(Adolescent Brain Development). One of the most recent cases, Graham v. Florida (2010), the Supreme Court stated it was unconstitutional to sentence juveniles to life, without the possibility of parole if they were sentenced of non-homicide crimes. Experts believe that adolescents have the possibility of rehabilitation, and that it is a disservice to society to convict them to adult facilities.
The research in adolescent brain development is becoming a progressively precise field of research in recent years, because of the advancement of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. Before the utilization of this equipment, the only main findings that had been reached in this field were the result of cadaver tissue studies, given that X-rays and other methods of testing were considered possibly damaging to adolescents. Lawrence Steinberg, who is a well-known Professor of Psychology at Temple University, claims that “the teenage brain is like a car with a good accelerator but a weak brake. With powerful impulses under poor control, the likely result is a crash.” (Teen Brains) Steinburg assisted in writing an American Psychological Association brief for Roper v. Simmons (2005) case in which the U.S. Supreme Court banned the death penalty for crimes that were committed by juveniles before they turn 18. This decision depended on the most current research on the adolescent brain, which reveals the adolescent brain is still growing during the teen years, and cognitive and decision methods of thinking are developing even into the early 20s. 

Crimes committed by various ages groups 1990-2010

There is further research that reveals that childhood abuse and neglect even further impedes the normal brain development. According to a study by the Juvenile Justice Center of the American Bar Association, it was discovered that a greater part of the juveniles who were on death rows throughout the country had been abused or neglected as children. While these factors do not excuse behavior, it is something for experts and juries to consider when deciding the sentences for juvenile offenders. (Teen Crime) But what about teenagers who are sociopaths, or psychopaths, and may never become a contributing member of society? Experts are trying to develop specific assessments to determine whether these types of individuals should be released into general population. It is a fine balance, between the studies showing that on one hand, teens are not fully capable of making logical decisions, to the other hand which argues that the teenagers should be held responsible for their actions, regardless of their age. Another problem is that imprisonment in an adult prison can destroy a child, because adolescents who are sentenced as adults are nearly twenty times more likely (than other teens) to commit suicide. Due to the fact that a quarter of suicide attempts transpire within the first two days of incarceration, even a brief episode of incarceration can result in disaster. Obviously, these teens are also especially vulnerable to violence from adult prisoners. (Youth Law News) But what about teenagers who are sociopaths, or psychopaths, and may never become a contributing member of society? Experts are trying to develop specific assessments to determine whether these types of individuals should be released into general population. It is a fine balance, between the studies showing that on one hand, teens are not fully capable of making logical decisions, to the other hand which argues that the teenagers should be held responsible for their actions, regardless of their age.

This is a great (and long) lecture by Dr. Steinburg on adolescent behavior: (above)

Read more on Lawrence Steinberg: http://www.temple.edu/psychology/lds/

The Struggle of the Teen Brain: Rational vs. Emotional

Image of Teenage Brain showing the areas of study

Though we can't know exactly what goes on in a teenager's brain, (however much we would love to) through scans of teen brains while their owners are thinking, learning and making critical decisions, neuroscientists have observed the brains and watch activity. A psychologist at Leiden University in the Netherlands named Eveline Crone studies how the brain advances and grows. Crone utilizes a large, high-tech instrument called a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The scanner depends on a powerful but painless and safe magnet and radio waves to generate comprehensive images of the brains of Crone’s young volunteers. The subjects are only required to lie back and play some games. While the volunteers lay down, they look up and they see a mirror reflecting a computer screen on which they can play casino-like computer games. The students enjoy the rewards and fun of the games. Teens also can play games requiring them to make choices, such as whether to pull a trigger, smile at an attractive face or accept a tempting offer. Some choices earn them rewards, such as coins or food. (Teen Brain) 

While her subjects play the games, Crone is observing and gauging which portions of the teens’ brains are the most active. The researchers can identify activity by seeing how much oxygen the different brain areas are using because the energetic and dynamic sections of the brain are utilizing more oxygen. Crone says that while participating in the risk-taking and rewards-based tests, one section deep inside of the brain displays much more activity in adolescents than it does in children or adults. This section is known as the ventral striatum, (see image, right) and  is often represented as the “reward center” of the brain. The region can urge humans to repeat actions that offer a reward, for example, cash and pleasures.

According to scientists, adolescents are exceptionally susceptible and receptive to influence by friends, emotions, and desires. Teenagers frequently react to those influences with illogical decisions because of the existence of a chemical in the brain known as dopamine. Dopamine is released in the brain when we feel good. Generally, these dopamine levels in hit their highest point during adolescence. This is why teenagers tend give in to these influences. Scientists have seen amplified activity in the ventral striatum whenever someone at any age is challenged by a precarious choice, or at the proposal of a prize. Dopamine drives teens to chase rewards even when they have to take risks to get them, and this usually increases during puberty. Nevertheless, this section of the brain appears to be much more active amid the ages of 13 and 17 than during any other period of human growth. (The Teenage Brain) Significantly, the ventral striatum also connects with another aforementioned crucial brain region, which is located just behind the forehead and is known as the prefrontal cortex. Research indicates the adolescent brain struggles between the rational appeal of the prefrontal cortex and the impulsive draw of the ventral striatum. While teens can make good decisions, sometimes the promise of a reward can outweigh the logical choice.  This is what causes teens to sometimes make bad choices. This reaction to dopamine causes the parts of a teenage brain that are connected to emotions to want fast rewards, and due to the prefrontal cortex not being fully developed, teenagers sometimes have difficulty controlling themselves. Some researchers think the adolescent brain purposely evolved to react to rewards so adolescents would shake off the security offered by parents and begin discovering their surroundings and circumstances on their own, which is what they will eventually have to do as adults.

Teens and Their Environment

Through research over the past 10 years, driven by new technology like functional magnetic resonance imaging, it has been discovered that teenage brains have both rapidly-growing synapses and sections that stay unconnected. (Adolescent Brains)This results in teenagers being easily affected and sometimes manipulated by their environment. Adolescents are also more susceptible to having impulsive behavior, regardless of the effect of raging hormones and any possible genetic tendencies toward addictions. 

Because of the sensitivity to drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, and sensory overload, it is important that teens are aware of these factors. Teenagers have a much lower tolerance and recovery level to drugs and alcohol than adults. The adolescent brain does not recover as quickly (or as fully) as adult brains do. Sleep deprivation is also a known external stressor, and teen brains are very vulnerable to fatigue. Due to the fact they require even more sleep than adults, it is very important that teens form healthy and consistent sleep habits.

Teens today are known to be “multi-taskers”. Using multiple digital devices at once while trying to complete their homework or have a conversation is very common. Because teens are so inundated by constant information in this technologically-driven age, “multitasking” is very typical and customary.(The Teen Brain) However, teens can become overstimulated, and it can cause them to be easily distracted, and lack the tools for proper and complete communication.

It is important for teens today to recognize moderation, and know that there are limitations on what they can handle. They should understand that even though they may be growing up, they are not “grown-ups” yet, and they need to respect their bodies and take care of themselves. Teachers and Parents should also educate themselves on the effects that external stressors can have on teen brains, so that they can assist teens in managing their lives.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

     Scientists and experts used to believe that the brain was finished growing at about age 10. However, recent studies show that there are parts of the brain that are not fully developed until mid-20s. This does not mean that teenagers are less intelligent, or that they have "half-a-brain". Basically, it means that the nerve cells connecting teenagers' frontal lobes with the rest of their brains are slow. This is due to the fact that teens don't have as much of the fatty coating known as myelin, or "white matter," that adults have in this area. The myelin is similar to the coating over an electrical wire. Just like the wire needs the coating to allow connections to flow without interruption, the nerves need myelin for the nerve signals to have a direct current. If the myelin is thin or mottled, this causes ineffective communication between one section of the brain to another. (National Institute of Mental Health)
    During childhood and adolescence, there are many changes occurring in the brain, including rapidly increasing connections between the brain cells and refinement (or pruning) of the brain pathways. The frontal lobe section of the brain is the part that deals with judgement, and decision-making, among other things. Scans of children's brain ranging in ages show that the decrease in gray matter were occurring in late adolescence. (See photo) 

The areas of the brain that are involved in more basic functions grow and mature first (e.g. controlling movement.) Sections of the brain that are responsible for more higher-level thinking/processing such as impulse control, problem solving, and planning ahead, are among the last to fully mature. (The Teen Brain)

     Finally, these differences in teen brains do not mean that teens don't know the difference between right and wrong, or that they should not be held responsible for their mistakes. The research sheds light on teenage behavior, helps parents and teachers understand, help and manage their teens. This information also gives teens insight to their own behavior.