Frank+Solano

Although scientists don't know yet what accounts for the observed changes, they may parallel a pruning process that occurs early in life that appears to follow the principle of "use-it-or-lose-it:" neural connections, or synapses, that get exercised are retained, while those that don't are lost. copied from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teenage-brain-a-work-in-progress.shtml

summery If you don't use your brain you lose your information.

the UCLA researchers compared MRI scans of young adults, 23-30, with those of teens, 12-16.[|4] They looked for signs of myelin, which would imply more mature, efficient connections, within gray matter. As expected, areas of the frontal lobe showed the largest differences between young adults and teens. This increased myelination in the adult frontal cortex likely relates to the maturation of cognitive processing and other "executive" functions. copied from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teenage-brain-a-work-in-progress.shtml

summery UCLA found a big difference between the frontal lobes of people 23-30 years to 12-16 year olds.

While these studies have shown remarkable changes that occur in the brain during the teen years, they also demonstrate what every parent can confirm: the teenage brain is a very complicated and dynamic arena, one that is not easily understood. copied from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teenage-brain-a-work-in-progress.shtml summery The teenage brain is very complex.

A report from FRONTLINE producer Sarah Spinks on new research that suggests teens process emotional information differently than adults, and even use different parts of their brains to do so. copied from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/

summery A report suggests teens process emotional info differently than adults.

In the popular press, much has been made of research indicating that there are certain crucial periods during which children must be exposed to specific stimuli or risk missing important developmental steps. FRONTLINE producer Sarah Spinks examines the science behind these claims and finds that, for the most part, human learning and development is not limited to certain critical periods, but takes place throughout a person's lifespan. copied from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/

summery