Understanding Adolescent Brain Development

Forebrain

Largest brain region; includes cerebrum and cortex.

Cerebrum

Responsible for thinking, planning, and sensory processing.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of cerebrum; contains four lobes.

Four Lobes

Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal lobes of brain.

Corpus Callosum

Connects left and right brain hemispheres.

Midbrain

Relay center for visual and auditory information.

Hindbrain

Controls vital functions; includes pons, medulla, cerebellum.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance.

Child Brain Development

Rapid growth; significant synaptic growth in infancy.

Synaptogenesis

Formation of new synapses for learning and memory.

Myelination

Axons covered in myelin; increases transmission speed.

Synaptic Pruning

Removal of unused neurons for efficiency.

Developmental Plasticity

Brain's ability to change during childhood and adolescence.

Prefrontal Cortex

Responsible for planning, impulse control, decision-making.

Limbic System

Processes emotions, memories, and learning.

Mesolimbic System

Detects rewards; influences memory and behavior.

Hippocampus

Key structure for learning and memory formation.

Serotonin Levels

Lowest during teenage years; affects mood.

Brain Growth Stages

Over-produces connections, then eliminates based on use.

Adolescent Brain Development

Continues until mid-20s; not fully mature at 18.

Neural Networks Analogy

Brain compared to telephone networks for understanding.

Teen Mood Swings

Result from increased myelination and serotonin changes.

Nervous System

Body system controlling functions through neural pathways.

Brainstem

Includes midbrain and hindbrain; vital functions.

Cerebral Cortex Lobes

Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal; each with functions.

Visual and Auditory Processing

Main functions of the midbrain.

Autonomic Functions

Controlled by the hindbrain; includes heart rate.

Neural Efficiency

Improved through synaptic pruning in adolescence.

Adolescent Learning

Increased hippocampal cell generation during puberty.