Adolescent Brain Development

Understanding teenage brain changes

What is the prefrontal cortex (PFC)?

Why can teenagers sometimes make impulsive decisions?

Because the prefrontal cortex develops later than areas involved in emotions and impulses

What is synaptic pruning?

The brain removes unused connections and strengthens important pathways

What is myelination?

The process where neurons develop myelin, making messages travel faster

Does the brain suddenly finish developing at age 25?

No, brain development varies between people and continues to be influenced by experiences and learning