Adolescent maturity and the brain: the promise and pitfalls of neuroscience research in adolescent health policy

Johnson, Sara B.; Blum, Robert W.; Giedd, Jay N.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.05.016

Cited by 631Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAdolescent Health and BehaviorsChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Adolescent maturity and the brain: the promise and pitfalls of neuroscience research in adolescent health policy

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Johnson, Sara B., Blum, Robert W., Giedd, Jay N.·2009·Journal of Adolescent Health

DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.05.016PMC PMC2892678

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Abstract

Longitudinal neuroimaging studies demonstrate that the adolescent brain continues to mature well into the 20s. This has prompted intense interest in linking neuromaturation to maturity of judgment. Public policy is struggling to keep up with burgeoning interest in cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging. However, empirical evidence linking neurodevelopmental processes and adolescent real-world behavior remains sparse. Nonetheless, adolescent brain development research is already shaping public policy debates about when individuals should be considered mature for policy purposes. With this in mind, in this article we summarize what is known about adolescent brain development and what remains unknown, as well as what neuroscience can and cannot tell us about the adolescent brain and behavior. We suggest that a conceptual framework that situates brain science in the broader context of adolescent developmental research would help to facilitate research-to-policy translation. Furthermore, although contemporary discussions of adolescent maturity and the brain often use a deficit-based approach, there is enormous opportunity for brain science to illuminate the great strengths and potentialities of the adolescent brain. So, too, can this information inform policies that promote adolescent health and well-being.

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Neuroimaging studies show that the brain continues to develop into the twenties.
“neuroimaging studies have shown that the brain continues to develop well into a person’s twenties”
From Effects of traumatic experiences on obsessive-compulsive and internalizing symptoms: The role of avoidance and mindfulness. (2018) · cites this paper as Johnson et al., 2009
Neuroscience and other psychological research are invoked in contradictory ways to support both sides of the debate over adolescents' capacity for mature behavior.
“the contradictory use of neuroscience and other psychological research to argue both for and against adolescent capacities for mature behavior [18]”
From Arrested development? Reconsidering dual-systems models of brain function in adolescence and disorders (2012) · cites this paper as [18]
The literature lacks selective mappings between brain structure and function and between brain and behavior.
“the lack of selective structure-function mappings and brain-behavior mappings [18,56,75]”
From Arrested development? Reconsidering dual-systems models of brain function in adolescence and disorders (2012) · cites this paper as [18]

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Authors: Johnson, S. B., Blum, R. W., & Giedd, J. N.
Affiliations: Johns Hopkins University (US)
National Institute of Mental Health (US)
ORCID: Johnson, Sara B.
Blum, Robert W.
Giedd, Jay N.
Venue: Journal of Adolescent Health
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2009-09
Volume: 45
Issue: 3
Pages: 216-221
ISSN: 1054-139X (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.05.016
PMC: PMC2892678
OpenAlex: W2016854025
Cited by: 631
References: 47
Citations by year: 2026: 31 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 66 · 2018: 48 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 44 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 16
FWCI: 0.92
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Mental Health (ZIAMH002794)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (K01DA027229)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Health and Behaviors
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords: adolescent brain development, neuromaturation, adolescent maturity, adolescent health policy, research-to-policy translation, cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, judgment, deficit approach, youth welfare
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Brain, Female, Health Policy, Humans, Male, Neurosciences, Research, Adolescent Development

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Adolescent maturity and the brain: the promise and pitfalls of neuroscience research in adolescent health policy

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