Adolescent Brain

Question 1

list three types of factors that are critically influential during adolescent years on the development of the brain

Answer 1

• nutritional
• physical
• social environmental

Question 2

the brain goes through another rapid time of development in adolescence between what years

Answer 2

9-14yo

Question 3

what are the timeframes for the 1st and 2nd window of opportunity for brain development

Answer 3

0-3yo
9-14yo

Question 4

neurodevelopmental outcomes of adolescent period include:

Answer 4

• reward system remodeling
• matured social and emotional capacities
• higher-level cognitive functioning

Question 5

regions in what system in the brain are the earliest to experience changes during adolescence

Answer 5

limbic system

Question 6

the limbic system is linked with what pathways

Answer 6

emotions and reward pathways

Question 7

changes to regions of the limbic system result in lower risk ____ & limited future _____ and becoming more sensitive to _______

Answer 7

• lower risk perception
• limited future orientation
• more sensitive to influences from peers

Question 8

compared to adults, adolescents have increased or decreased difficulty navigating and controlling emotionally charged situations

Answer 8

decreased

Question 9

results from changes to regions in limbic system are associated with decreased ____ and increased ___ activities

Answer 9

• decreased self-regulation
• increased risk-taking activities

Question 10

adolescents are more likely to make decisions leading to situations of higher excitement or stress - T or F

Answer 10

T

Question 11

what does prefrontal cortex facilitate

Answer 11

• future planning
• impulse control
• inhibition
  => leading to improved self-regulation and protection against higher risk once matured

Question 12

why are people more protected against high risk once matured

Answer 12

prefrontal cortex develops

Question 13

prefrontal cortex region facilitates

Answer 13

executive function

Question 14

key changes in brain development in adolescence

Answer 14

• cognitive control (executive)
  network
• social (mentalising) network
• subcortical (emotion and reward) network

Question 15

during adolescent brain development, there is interest in social relations, exploration of identity

Answer 15

true

Question 16

define mentalising

Answer 16

ability to understand and interpret one’s own and others’ mental states - beliefs, desires, intentions, emotions
- cognitive skill crucial for navigating social relationships