The human brain is a vastly complex organ consisting of billions of interconnected neurons that are making different connections every day; this gives evidence that the brain is one of the most important parts of the body.  Studying the brain as it grows is crucial, especially the adolescent brain as it develops from childhood to adulthood.  Research is now looking at the teenage brain as it grows and functions cognitively and structurally.

ScienceNews reviewed an article looking at how crucial brain development is during teen years and how “pushing the limits” in daredevil behaviors are a necessary phase.  Eveline Crone is studying brain development using MRI scans seeing how teen brains react when playing computer games.  The high risks and rewards of casino games were seen to stimulate more brain activity in teens than children or adults.  High amounts of dopamine were seen and increased activity in the ventral striatum which acts in reward-based decision making.  A study completed in 2007 showed that the activity from the ventral striatum changes over time in development of the brain and is influenced more in teenage years resulting in higher risk behaviors than in adulthood.

Understanding how the brain works is crucial in comprehending how a certain behavior begins and continues through a person’s life.  More studies need to be completed so certain behavioral patterns can be predicted from MRI scans early in life and can inhibit specific ones and encourage other parts to development more adequately.

References:

“Role of ventral striatum in reward-based decision making.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 02 July 2007. Web. 08 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Role[Title] AND ventral[Title] AND striatum[Title] AND reward-based[Title] AND decision[Title] AND making[Title]>.

“The Teenage Brain.” Science News. N.p., 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 08 Nov. 2012. <http://www.sciencenews.org/2012/10/the-teenage-brain/>.