Final- Adolescent Brain Flashcards
Which of the four Rs occurs during adolescence?
Reweighting- A synapses becomes stronger by releasing more neurotransmitters and increasing the number of receptors
Rewiring- Branches of axons and dendrites are able to grow and retract
When does the limbic system mature in comparison to the frontal lobe? What is the function of each system? How does this discrepancy in the time of maturation affect teenage behavior?
Limbic system activates first before the prefrontal cortex – mismatch maturation
-Brain develops from the back to the front
-Releases lots of dopamine
Limbic system- helps with emotional processing, memory with smells, linking emotion with brain stem function
Prefrontal cortex- decision making, problem solving, voluntary movements, impulse control
The discrepancy in the time of maturation affect teenage behavior by causing puberty at very young ages
-Maturation occurs from back of the brain to the front
How does the dopamine system change during adolescence and where are these dopamine projections? What is the result of changes in dopamine signaling? How does culture influence how the brain responds to rewards for family vs. Self?
The dopamine systems change during adolescence by producing a lot of dopamine during this time
-Leads to more impulse behavior and patterns of exploration
-Dopamine projects are found in the prefrontal cortex
Changes in dopamine signaling results in an increase of impulsive behavior
-Reward areas are easily affected, teens get more excited, emotional, and have patterns in exploration
Culture influence on brain response depends on the basis of the culture
-White families- tend to give reward to themselves
-Latino families- tend to give reward to others/families before self
Which type of receptors bind to cannabis?
Endocannabinoids receptors bind to cannabis
How does cannabis affect neural signaling?
THC stimulates neurons in the reward system to release higher levels of dopamine
What are the two active compounds in cannabis?
THC (psychoactive)
CBD (not psychoactive)
Why doesn’t everyone experience the same harmful effects of cannabis?
It affects people differently based on genetics, gender, age, mood, and amount of cannabis used
Why do younger brains show more negative effects in response to cannabis?
Younger brains are not fully developed
-There’s more of white matter during adolescence because it is still developing
Cannabinoids receptors are in white matter
-Cannabis can delay the maturation of the prefrontal cortex
This includes the ability to decision-making and complex thinking
What is marijuana induced psychosis?
Paranoid delusions and hallucinations
Related to schizophrenia later in life
How does using cannabis affect a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia?
Using cannabis for lots of cannabis for a long time can increase a person’s risk of psychosis
-leads to schizophrenia
-Family history with schizophrenia will increase the chances
What are some common side effects when people stop using cannabis?
Depression, insomnia, decreased appetite, headaches, nausea
Where are cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and what is the function of these receptors?
CB1 receptors are located in the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and the hippocampus
Receptors are important for regulating mood, appetite, pain, sensation, vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle tone, and immune functions
How does cannabis affect IQ and psychosocial attainment?
Cannabis has a bigger effect on white matter and stops the development of white matter tracts
-Results in a long-term learning impairment
-IQ drop as people get older
-Lower chance of going into university and less income
What is one function of the limbic system in teen girls?
There is a greater response during social activation in teen girls than teen boys (social appraisal period)
The limbic system increases in volume and reactivity in response to emotion and becomes more sensitive to factors such as social rejection (mean girls…)
How does the adolescent brain respond to emotional faces? How does the ToM change during adolescence?
Teens show greater amygdala/subcortical areas activation in response to emotional faces
Theory of the mind- as we age, we become better at understanding the minds and behavior of others
