Presentation: The adolescent brain

January 13, 2018 | Author: Anonymous | Category: Science, Biology, Neuroscience
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Problem Gambling & the Adolescent Brain Oregon Problem Gambling Services; Material from Dr. Ken Winters & Dr. Jon Grant



Adolescence is a period of profound brain maturation.



We thought brain development was complete by adolescence



We now know… maturation is not complete until about

age 24!!!

An Immature Brain = Less Brakes on the “Go” System

Construction Ahead • Growth of the brain’s nerve cells (neurons) occurs through late childhood • 1,000,000,000,000,000 possible connections. • Around 11 – GIRLS; 12½ - BOYS: • Some of these connections are pruned off and remaining ones are strengthened.

Construction Ahead • When the pruning is complete, the brain is faster and more efficient.

• But… during the pruning process, the brain is not functioning at full capacity

Neurological maturation starts at the back of the brain, and moves to the front Amygdal a

Judgme nt Emotion

Motivati on

Prefrontal Cortex Nucleus Accumben s

Physical coordinati on

Cerebellu m

Notice: Judgment is last to develop!

Judgment Gets Better with Age • By age 18, the adolescent’s judgement for structured challenges is roughly equal to that of adults. • But judgement that involves resisting impulses or delaying gratification is still under construction during late adolescence and early adulthood.

The dopamine system is more robust during adolescence than in adulthood • novel stimuli trigger firing of dopamine; the experience is rewarded by a dopamine burst

 • Compared to adults, the robust dopamine system of adolescence will contribute to a more heightened reward experience in the face of novel stimuli

Implications of “Arrested Development” for Adolescent Behavior

We can infer...…. • Preference for physical activity • Preference for high excitement and low effort activities • Preference for novelty • Poor planning and judgment • Minimal consideration of negative consequences • More risky, impulsive behaviors • Some evidence that being in a group accentuates risk taking

1. Background

3. Neurodevelopment and gambling • youth in general • ADHD youth

2. Neurodevelopment

Does normal brain development contribute to adolescent susceptibility to gambling?

INDIRECT SUPPORT: 1. > risk taking (particularly in groups) (gambling?)

2. > propensity toward low effort - high excitement activities (gambling?) 3. < capacity for good judgment & weighing consequences (gambling?) 4. > sensitivity to novel stimuli (gambling?)

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