NEW RESEARCH FINDINGS ON THE DEVELOPING TEEN BRAIN

Scientific studies indicate that the adolescent brain in both animals and humans undergoes substantial change and maturation into the mid-20s. Research on the developing teen brain offers important insight into the neurological foundation of adolescent behavior, which may help to explain why teens tend to be more impulsive and why rates of substance abuse and risky behavior are far greater for this age group than others.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a new study performed by researchers David Sturman and Bita Moghaddam at the University of Pittsburgh measured the activity of single cells in the brains of adult and adolescent rats to identify the neural roots of differences in brain function. The unique approach used in this work allowed scientists to watch how the adolescent brain responds to rewards resulting from behavior in real time.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience entitled “Reduced neuronal inhibition and coordination of adolescent prefrontal cortex during motivated behavior,” showed that even when adult and adolescent rats behaved in exactly the same way in order to receive a food reward, the pattern of firing of single cells in their brains was different. Reduced inhibition of neuron activity shown in adolescents could suggest that they may respond more intensively than adults to reward. These more intense responses may help to explain the increased vulnerability of adolescents to the rewarding effects of alcohol and drugs.

Monitoring how the adolescent brain processes events differently than the adult brain offers a powerful way to understand the vulnerabilities of young people at this age. It further points up the necessity to develop ways to intervene early with teens.

To support parents, retailers, and community members in efforts to keep teens from drinking and using drugs, InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition are partnering with the Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Schools, Florida Department of Children and Families, and many other local partners in an innovative statewide campaign called Be the Wall.

The Be The Wall campaign is designed on the premise that while alcohol may be the primary substance of choice for teens across the state and country, underage drinking should be the single most preventable at risk behavior among our teenagers. Together the StandUP Polk Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk partners encourage parents and influential adults to Be the Wall between teens and alcohol with firm, clear and consistent messages.

For additional information about the campaign, please call StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777 and visit the interactive Be The Wall web site at www.bethewall.com to take the pledge to keep alcohol out of the hands of our teens.