Development of the Emotional Brain in Adolescence

The process of brain structures and connections maturing during adolescence. This period sees significant changes in emotional reactivity and regulation.

Brain regions involved in processing emotions, such as the amygdala and hippocampus.

Brain areas responsible for regulating emotions, planning, and decision-making, like the prefrontal cortex.

Changes in brain networks that happen as we mature, from simpler connections to more complex, integrated systems.

The ability to manage and control emotions.

A brain network linked to emotional responses, such as fear or anxiety.

A more sophisticated brain connection that combines emotional processing and cognitive control.

The highest level of brain connectivity, where complex thought processes and advanced emotion regulation occur.

A model of brain development that focuses on the imbalance between developing reward and control systems in the brain, leading to heightened emotional reactivity in adolescence.

Brain regions responsible for processing and experiencing emotions, such as the amygdala and hippocampus.

Brain regions responsible for higher-level thinking, planning, and decision-making, such as the prefrontal cortex.

Connections between different areas of the cerebral cortex, allowing for complex information processing and integration.

The gradual development of brain connections and networks over time, influenced by experiences and maturation.

The idea that different brain systems mature at different rates, leading to a temporary mismatch in development.

Behaviors driven by emotions rather than logic or reasoning.

The transition from childhood to adulthood, marked by significant physical, cognitive, and social changes.

Brain areas and connections that are primarily involved in processing emotions, such as the amygdala and hippocampus.

The tendency to experience powerful emotional responses, often characterized by intensity and variability.

The ability to make plans, control impulses, and make thoughtful decisions, often associated with the prefrontal cortex.

A framework that explains adolescent behavior as a result of competing systems in the brain, one for emotional responses and another for rational thinking.

A sensitive period during development when certain brain areas and functions are especially susceptible to the impact of the environment.

The point at which the capacity for emotion regulation reaches its full potential, typically in adulthood.

A state of emotional excitement or activation, often associated with a specific event or stimulus.

A common task used to study cognitive control involving responding to specific stimuli (go) and inhibiting responses to others (nogo).

A brain region involved in decision-making, emotional processing, and social behavior.

A brain region involved in planning, working memory, and cognitive control.

The stage of development between adolescence and adulthood, typically ranging from 18 to 25 years old.

The developmental process in which the structure and function of the brain mature over time, often continuing into adulthood.

The process of development in the brain that occurs throughout adolescence, specifically changes in the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and white matter.

Refers to the part of the brain responsible for executive functions like planning, decision-making, and impulse control, which undergoes significant development during adolescence.

A type of brain tissue composed of nerve fibers that connect different parts of the brain, undergoing significant development during adolescence, leading to improved communication between brain regions.

A theory suggesting that development is a process of gradual and dynamic change, influenced by complex interactions between various factors, like genes, environment, and experiences.

The study of the brain's structure and function, particularly how it's involved in processing emotions, rewards, and decision-making.

The process of transmitting information from one neuron to another, essential for communication and information flow in the brain.

A brain structure involved in processing emotions, especially fear and anxiety, playing a crucial role in reward-seeking behavior.

The strength of connections between brain regions changes with age. In early childhood, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and limbic regions (e.g., amygdala) are positively coupled, meaning they work together more strongly. As we mature, this coupling becomes negative, indicating a shift in their interaction.

The amygdala, a brain region important for emotional processing, shows decreasing activity in response to emotional cues as we age. This is linked to the shifting connections between prefrontal and limbic regions.

The development of brain pathways is not simultaneous. Ascending connections, which carry information from the amygdala to the prefrontal cortex, develop earlier than descending connections, which carry information from the prefrontal cortex to the amygdala.

Local brain circuits, involving connections within a specific area, develop before long-distance connections between different areas. This pattern of development is observed both in resting-state activity and during tasks.

Subcortical regions, located deeper in the brain, send important signals that strengthen the connections between the prefrontal cortex and other areas. This early subcortical activity contributes to the development of more sophisticated brain circuitry.

The prefrontal cortex's ability to regulate emotions and behaviors improves with age. This development is linked to changes in connections between the prefrontal cortex and limbic regions.

Reappraisal, a strategy for changing emotional responses by reinterpreting situations, involves distinct brain regions. The medial prefrontal cortex is involved in emotional control while the lateral prefrontal cortex is important for shifting attention.

The development of brain circuits related to emotional control (medial PFC) and cognitive reappraisal (lateral PFC) are crucial for effectively managing emotions and controlling impulses.