Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Adolescent brains respond differently to rewards
By Staff Writer
Though it is not true of all adolescents, many put rewards ahead of consequences and engage in risky behavior. This misplacement of priorities can often lead to drug addiction and behavioral and psychological disorders.
However, a new study conducted by researchers from the university of Pittsburgh may have found the root behind the impulsive behavior common in adolescent brains.
To gain their results, researchers presented adult and adolescent rats with three holes to poke their noses through. Every time the rats chose the center hole, they received a sugar pellet.
Brain activity was similar between the two age groups most of the time. For young rats however, the introduction of rewards caused two to four times the excitation and inhibition levels in adults.
The researchers used rats as they exhibit behavioral and biological similarities to adult and teenage humans.
These results indicate that compared to those of adults, adolescent brains react to rewards with greater excitement. In addition, while adult brains revealed a more consistent and balanced response to rewards, the adolescent brains were shown to be more disorganized.
According to the researchers, the fact that the adolescent brain processes rewards and other stimuli differently may explain why many teenagers require substance abuse help or have more extreme responses to upsetting experiences.
