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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“The criterion for forming the two age groups (17–22 vs. 22–26) was based on the brain development literature showing that the human brain reaches its maturity (capacity for judgment and management of pleasure-seeking impulses) after 21 years-old [41, 42].”
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“Considering that early stages of development are periods of profound neural and behavioral change, during which developing organisms transition to adult-like functioning [4], it is crucial for ongoing studies to examine developmental vulnerabilities in these periods.”
Background
Atividade física na adolescência e maturidade sexual: uma revisão sistemática
Campos, C. G., Carlos, F. D. M., Muniz, L. A., Bila, W. C., Damasceno, V. D. O., Romano, M. C. C., & Lamounier, J. A. (2021) · Ciência & Saúde Coletiva · doi:10.1590/1413-81232021265.17622019 · Cited by 8
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“Using functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain function, scientists have focused on the increasing connectivity of the brain and the development of the frontal lobe as people age (Coalition for Juvenile Justice 2006; Johnson et al. 2009).”
Trends and drug-related correlates in residential mobility among young adults in the United States, 2003–2016
Salas‐Wright, C. P., Oh, S., Vaughn, M. G., Cohen, M., Scott, J. C., & Amodeo, M. (2018) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.045 · Cited by 8
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“…Kabiru, & Le, 2012; Giedd, 2008; Lenroot & Geidd, 2006; Paus, 2005; Johnson, Blum & Giedd, 2009) and that people with underdeveloped brains (e.g., Johnson et al., 2009; Compas et al., 2014) are more likely to emotionally dysregulate, it is possible that emotion dysregulation in young mothers…”
Background
Getting transition right for young people with diabetes
McDonagh, J. E. R., & Gleeson, H. K. (2011) · European Diabetes Nursing · doi:10.1002/edn.170 · Cited by 8
Neuroscience, moral development, criminal capacity, and the Child Justice Act: justice or injustice?
Kramers-Olen, A. L. (2015) · South African Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1177/0081246315603633 · Cited by 11
“These neuroscience findings have prompted an interest in examining neuro-maturation and concomitant judgement maturity (Johnson et al., 2009), and they have also fuelled much speculation regarding the extent to which a child/adolescent can be held criminally responsible for criminal acts (Aronson,…”
BackgroundInfluential
Reforming the age of criminal responsibility
Crofts, T. (2016) · South African Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1177/0081246316640116 · Cited by 10
Controversy About Dialysis for an Adolescent
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Striving for perfection, accepting the reality: A reflection on adherence to airway clearance and inhalation therapy for paediatric patients with chronic suppurative lung disease
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“Use-It-or-Lose-It”? Interrogating an Educational Message from Teen Brain Research
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“Transferring this concept to understandings of human development proved controversial, but maintained considerable scientific and intuitive appeal (Kagan, 1998).”
Background
Research on the Effects of Medications in Pregnancy and in Children
Horton, D. B., Hernández–Dı́az, S., Lasky, T., & Huybrechts, K. F. (2019) · Pharmacoepidemiology · doi:10.1002/9781119413431.ch22 · Cited by 8
Providing Adolescents with Independent and Confidential Access to Childhood Vaccines: A Proposal to Lower the Age of ConsentPreprint
Weithorn, L. A., & Reiss, D. R. (2019) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.3450277 · Cited by 8
Understanding Adolescent Criminal and Risky Online Sexual Behaviors in the Context of Mental Health and Well-Being: Findings from a Multi- National European Cybercrime Study
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“…recognition that adolescence is a transitional time of turbulence (BetterHelp, 2024), in which three key factors are universally observed: (i) increased risk-taking, (ii) increased novelty seeking, and (iii) increased peer association and affiliation (Johnson et al., 2009, p. 4; Spear, 2000).”
Homicide and Criminal Maturity of Juvenile Offenders: A Critical Review
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“However, this notion is not true (Pfeifer & Allen, 2012; Silber, 2011), and there is acknowledgment that the limitations of this research is growing (Johnson et al., 2009; Pfeifer & Allen, 2012; Poldrack, 2011).”
Background
Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders Across Lifespan
Pérez, C., Leite, J., Carvalho, S., & Fregni, F. (2016) · European Psychologist · doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000252 · Cited by 6
Not Wired Up? The Neuroscientific Turn in Youth to Adult (Y2A) Transitions Policy
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Late adolescents’ own and assumed parental preferences towards health-care related confidentiality and consent in Belgium
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“On top of this, recent neuroimaging studies have shown that the adolescent brain continues to mature well into the early 20s or later [34, 35], while UNICEF emphasizes that late adolescence encompasses the latter part of the teenage years (usually between 15 to 19 years) [36].”
Background
Childhood Trauma and Cyberbullying Perpetration: The Mediating Role of Callous-Unemotional Traits
Silva, S., Figueiredo, P., Ramião, E., & Barroso, R. (2022) · Victims & Offenders · doi:10.1080/15564886.2022.2126574 · Cited by 7
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Comparison of the behavioral effects of exercise and high fat diet on cognitive function in adolescent rats
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“Adolescence is a time of dramatic change and rapid growth in the life (Johnson et al., 2009; Spear, 2002).”
Background
Implementing the evidence on young adult neuromaturation
Hughes, N., & Strong, G. (2016) · Probation Journal · doi:10.1177/0264550516648398 · Cited by 7
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“While the literature about the distinct needs of young adults requiring a tailored approach of practical and emotional support (Harris, 2015; House of Commons Justice Committee, 2016, 2018b; Hughes and Strong, 2016) has begun to gain traction, and been acknowledged by the Government (MoJ, 2013b, 2015a, 2017), it has f…”
Background
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Pillay, A. L. (2015) · South African Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1177/0081246315585922 · Cited by 7
The Relationship between Adolescent Dating Violence and Risky Health Behavioral Outcomes
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“Concurrently, there are also changes taking place in the pre-frontal cortex during this period that are responsible for executive functions such as organization, decision making, planning, and impulse control [11].”
Influential
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“Executive functions are a managerial collection of cognitive skills essential for purposeful actions, such as planning, inhibiting responses, working memory, and sustaining attention (Johnson et al., 2009).”
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Crump, C., Abuelazm, H., Ibrahim, K., Shah, S. R., & El‐Mallakh, R. S. (2024) · Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics · doi:10.1080/14737175.2024.2367695 · Cited by 7
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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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