Teen Brains: Still Under Construction
Teen Brains: Still Under Construction
Contrary to what most parents have thought at least once, âteens really do have brains,â quipped Dr Jay Giedd, an National Instituteâs of Health (NIH) research scientist, in a recent lecture on the âTeen Brain under Construction.â In fact, researchers have not only confirmed that teens have brains; they are now beginning to understand the biological basis for their sometimes peculiar behavior.
Dr Giedd, who studies brain development at NIHâs National Institute of Mental Health, explained that scientists have only recently learned more about the path of brain growth. One important finding, he said, showed that the frontal cortex area â which governs judgment, decisionmaking, and impulse control â does not fully mature until around age 25.
âThat really threw us,â Dr Giedd said. âWe used to joke about having to be 25 to rent a car, but tons of industry data show that 24-year-olds are costing insurance companies more than 44-year-olds are.â
But why is that? âIt must be behavior and impulse control,â he said. âWhatever these changes are, the top bad things that happen to teens involve emotion and behavior.â
Medically, Dr Giedd said, in terms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious illnesses, people in their teens and early 20s are incredibly healthy. But with accidents as the leading cause of death in adolescents and suicide following close behind, âThis isnât a great time emotionally and psychologically. We call it the great paradox of adolescence: right at the time you should be on the top of your game, youâre not.â
The next step in Dr Gieddâs research, he said, is to learn more about what influences brain growth, for good or bad. âUltimately, we want to use these findings to treat illness and enhance development.â
Until then, parents need to know that the science shows they really can influence their childrenâs brain development.
âFrom imaging studies,â Dr Giedd said, âone thing that seems especially intriguing is this notion of modeling ⦠that the brain is pretty adept at learning by example. As parents, we teach a lot when we donât even know weâre teaching, just by showing how we treat our spouses, how we treat other people, what we talk about in the car on the way home.⦠Things that a parent says in the car can stick with them for years. Theyâre listening,â he said, âeven though it may appear theyâre not.â
So, what can we do to change our kids? âWell, start with yourself in terms of what you show by example,â Dr Giedd advised.
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