Adolescent Brain - Chapter 7 - Brain Bee

Adolescent Brain Development

Studies focusing on how the brain evolves during adolescence and its relevance to mental health and behavior.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder that may emerge due to early brain pathway developments.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

A condition whose susceptibility may be influenced by genetic factors in brain development.

Cerebellum

The brain region responsible for motor skills and coordinating movement.

Synaptogenesis

The process by which dendrites of neurons grow longer and form new synapses, enhancing brain connectivity.

Glial Cells

Cells in the brain that support neurons, multiply, and provide myelination.

Synaptic Pruning

The process of reducing the number of synapses to refine neural connections based on experience.

Critical Period of Development

A time frame during which specific experiences have a significant impact on brain development.

Experience-Expectant Plasticity

The brain's ability to adapt and integrate environmental stimuli into development during critical periods.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around neurons to improve the speed of neural communication.

Plasticity

The brain's capacity to modify itself and adapt to changes in the environment.

Two Photon Imaging

A technique used to observe living neurons and track their growth in response to experiences.

Longitudinal Studies

Research methods that involve tracking individuals over an extended period of time.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)

A type of MRI that studies the quality of white matter in the brain.

Corpus Callosum

A structure in the brain that connects the left and right hemispheres, showing growth during adolescence.

Frontal Lobes

Brain regions responsible for high-level functions, including attention, organization, and planning.

Neural Connections

Links between neurons that can change in response to experiences and environment.

Maturation

The process of development and growth in the brain over time.

Neurons

Basic building blocks of the nervous system, vital for transmitting information in the brain.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of neurons that receive signals from other neurons.

Oligodendrocytes

Cells that produce myelin in the central nervous system.

Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex cognitive processes.

Adolescence

A developmental stage during which significant changes in brain structure and function occur.

Binge Drinking Effects

Negative impacts of excessive alcohol consumption on memory and brain function.

Working Memory

The part of short-term memory that is concerned with immediate conscious perceptual and linguistic processing.

Critical Period

A phase during development when the brain is highly receptive to certain environmental stimuli.

Developmental Relevance

The importance of understanding brain development in the context of medical treatments.

Neural Plasticity in Adulthood

The ongoing ability of the brain to adapt and change in response to experiences even in adult life.

Adaptability

The brain's capacity to change and develop in response to environmental demands.

Motor Skills Development

Progress in physical actions and coordination during early childhood.

Threshold of Maturation

The point at which significant changes occur in brain structures like the frontal lobe.

Neural Pathways

Connections formed by neurons that transmit signals throughout the brain.

Cortical Development

The growth and organization of the brain's cortex during learning and experience.

Environmental Influence

The impact of surroundings and experiences on brain development and plasticity.

Adolescent Risk Behavior

Actions often associated with teenage years due to incomplete brain maturation.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Conditions arising from atypical brain development, often evident in adolescence.

Early Childhood Brain Growth

Rapid increase in neurons and synapses occurring after birth up to age five.

Frontal Lobe Maturation

The gradual development of the frontal lobes, crucial for executive functions.