Cited by 631Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAdolescent Health and BehaviorsChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional 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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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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“These results are due to the exposure to stressful situations and social pressures during the late stage of adolescence, where individuals become more independent in their choices, accumulate more responsibility, and live in new environments [36].”
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“However, empirical evidence linking inhibitory control to adjustment during the teenage years is lacking (see Bjork et al., 2012; Johnson et al., 2009).”
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“…for translational applications is increasingly evident in areas of education (Ansari et al., 2012), psychiatry (Insel and Quirion, 2005) and, though controversial (Bonnie and Scott, 2013; Johnson et al., 2009) has been influential at the level of the US Supreme Court in the law (Steinberg, 2013).”
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“Adolescents begin to form peer-based relationships and engage in experimentation, exploration, and risk-taking behaviors [3, 4].”
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“Longitudinal MRI studies indicate that the brain continues to grow and reorganise throughout adolescence and that the frontal brain regions are among the last to fullymature (Johnson et al., 2009).”
Background
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“The frontal cortex encompasses the neural networks that underlie higher cognitive functions or executive functions such as working memory, planning, abstract thought, and impulsivity regulation (Johnson et al., 2009; Arain et al., 2013).”
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“The age of stroke onset may serve as one explanation: peaks in frontal gray matter volumes occur around 11 to 12 years of age and are accompanied by changes in synaptic pruning and functional connectivity in the frontal lobes up into adolescence (Johnson et al., 2009; Lenroot and Giedd, 2006).”
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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 › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › 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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