Kevin+Rojas

Teenage Brain: A work in progress http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teenage-brain-a-work-in-progress.shtml

imaging studies are revealing—for the first time—patterns of brain development that extend into the teenage years. 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. At least, this is what studies of animals' developing visual systems suggest. While it's known that both genes and environment play major roles in shaping early brain development, science still has much to learn about the relative influence of experience versus genes on the later maturation of the brain. Animal studies support a role for experience in late development, but no animal species undergoes anything comparable to humans' protracted childhood and adolescence. Nor is it yet clear whether experience actually creates new neurons and synapses, or merely establishes transitory functional changes. Nonetheless, it's tempting to interpret the new findings as empowering teens to protect and nurture their brain as a work in progress. Citation: National Institute of Mental Health, "Teenage Brain: A work in progress." __National Institute of Mental Health__. May 13, 2008. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 16 May 2008 . summary: