Adolescence

• What happens during the Adolescent stage?

  • During adolescence , the brain undergoes significant changes . The grey matter, which is found on the surface of the brain and is composed of cell bodies of neurons, nerve fibres and support cells , reaches its maximum density.
• What happens during the Adolescent stage?(2)

  • Areas of the brain like the limbic system are the first to mature . The limbic system regulates emotion and helps form new memories.. The prefrontal cortex is last to mature. This regulates decision making and moderates social behaviour. The difference in time taken to mature between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex are thought to explain behaviour in adolescence , such as risk taking. The frontal lobes continue to develop during adolescent and reach maturity around the age of 16.
• At what age does the prefrontal cortex mature?

  25 years old
• What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in adulthood?

  It helps make rational decisions and focus on long-term consequences
• How does the maturation of the prefrontal cortex affect impulsiveness?

  It reduces impulsiveness in decision-making
• What neurodegenerative disorders can develop in later adulthood?

  Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
• What characterizes neurodegenerative diseases?

  They are progressive and worsen over time
• What happens to neurons in neurodegenerative diseases?

  They die within the brain
• What problems are associated with Alzheimer's disease?

  Problems with thinking and memory
• What do scientists believe causes problems in Alzheimer's disease?

  Changes in the cortex