Adolescent Frontal Lobes: Under Construction
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1
National Institute of Mental Health, United States
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which combines a powerful magnet, radio waves, and sophisticated computer technology to provide exquisitely accurate pictures of brain anatomy and physiology, has opened an unprecedented window into the biology of the brain. Because MRI does not use ionizing radiation, it is well suited for pediatric studies and has launched a new era of adolescent neuroscience. Longitudinal structural brain MRI studies from ages 3 to 30 indicate increases in white matter and inverted U shaped developmental trajectories of gray matter volumes. Peak gray matter sizes occur at different ages for different regions with prefrontal cortex and other high order association areas continuing to undergo dynamic changes well into the 20's. Converging evidence from imaging and behavioral assessments suggest that during development connectivity among brain regions increases and the balance among frontal (executive-control) and limbic (emotional) systems changes. This relatively late maturation of frontal networks may have implications in societal, judicial, educational, clinical, familial, and personal realms.
Conference:
The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes, Toronto, Canada, 22 Mar - 26 Mar, 2010.
Presentation Type:
Oral Presentation
Citation:
Giedd
J
(2010). Adolescent Frontal Lobes: Under Construction.
Conference Abstract:
The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.14.00003
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Received:
24 Jun 2010;
Published Online:
24 Jun 2010.
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Correspondence:
Jay Giedd, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States, jg@nih.gov