Lina Begdache, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Kids often crave processed sugary foods. But research shows that consuming too many treats during childhood and adolescence may lead to behavioral and emotional problems.
Social disadvantage can cause stress that leads to changes in ‘connectivity’ between brain regions, potentially harming adolescents’ ability to plan, set goals, and self-reflect.
For years, it was thought the brain only grew during childhood, and changed very little thereafter.
Darren Baker/Shutterstock
The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to experience. Puberty is is the time brain networks are hardwired around milestone events. We should help teenagers make meaning of the pandemic.
Harnessing adolescents’ readiness to help can be good for them and their communities.
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock.com
Teens get a bad rap as selfish, dangerous risk-takers. But neuroscience and psychology research is revising that image: Adolescents are primed to help those around them, with positive benefits for all.
A good night’s sleep comes down to a comfy place to rest your head.
Marisa Harris/Unsplash
Researchers tracked adolescents’ sleep and scanned their brains. As expected, better sleep went with healthy brain development. Unexpected was the importance of one aspect of where teens slept.
The character of Kayla in ‘Eighth Grade’ is a true-to-life representation of an anxious teen.
A24
Almost a third of American adolescents have anxiety disorders. Researchers in developmental neuroscience are figuring out that how the brain matures over time may be part of the reason why.
Violence in communities may have an additional unseen victim: young peoples’ developing brains.
Zoran Karapancev/Shutterstock.com
Darby Saxbe, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Experiencing and witnessing violence in their communities can lead to emotional, social and cognitive problems for kids. A new study shows it affects how their developing brains grow, as well.
Vietnam War protests led to a lower voting age. The Parkland shooting could push similar reevaluations.
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Teens’ brains develop different skills along a predictable timeline. These milestones should influence the legal age boundaries for voting, buying guns and being put to death.
Just because everyone else is doing it…
Shane Pope
Adolescents have important developmental work to do. Despite what worried grownups think, taking needless risks isn’t the goal for teens. Being risky is part of exploring and learning about the world.
It’s not his fault. His brain hasn’t fully developed yet.
Unsplash/Matt Heaton
In recent years, the notion of a structurally imbalanced teenage brain has been faulted for bad choices. A review of studies suggests that a deficit in brain development is not to blame.