Adolescence, imperceptible boundary between normality and pathology: a literature review.
Minerva Pediatr
; 68(2): 148-51, 2016 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27002489
ABSTRACT
A reorganization of the brain occurs in adolescence and it is documented by neuroimaging, neurophysiology and pathology of development. The high levels of neural plasticity allow the intellectual and emotional development during adolescence, a transition period of life full of physical and psychological changes. However, potentially dangerous agents could be the genesis of psychopathology of the adult and mental illness or distress. Adolescence is a crucial phase for the maturation of the brain. Therefore, future research should study how the environment affects and influences the function and the organization of the brain. Teenagers look for new experiences and strong emotions, sometimes endangering their health. Neuroscientific explanations have been proposed for the typical teenagers' behavior. In the postnatal period the highest density of gray matter can be found in the primary sensorimotor cortex, while prefrontal cortex matures later. Subcortical areas of the brain, especially the limbic system and the reward system, develop earlier; therefore, there is an imbalance between the more mature subcortical areas and the less mature prefrontal areas during adolescence. This could explain the typical behavior patterns of this period of life.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Encéfalo
/
Envelhecimento
/
Comportamento do Adolescente
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Minerva Pediatr
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article