Teens Impulsively React rather than Retreat from Threat

• Published in: Developmental neuroscience Vol. 36; no. 3-4; pp. 220 - 227
• Main Authors: Dreyfuss, Michael, Caudle, Kristina, Drysdale, Andrew T., Johnston, Natalie E., Cohen, Alexandra O., Somerville, Leah H., Galván, Adriana, Tottenham, Nim, Hare, Todd A., Casey, B.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - physiology; Adolescent Brain Development; Adult; Child; Cues; Fear; Female; Humans; Impulsive Behavior; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Photic Stimulation; Reward; Risk-Taking; Sex Characteristics; Young Adult; Medial prefrontal cortex; Adolescence; Fear; Impulsivity; Orbitofrontal cortex; Limbic circuitry

There is a significant inflection in risk taking and criminal behavior during adolescence, but the basis for this increase remains largely unknown. An increased sensitivity to rewards has been suggested to explain these behaviors, yet juvenile offences often occur in emotionally charged situations o...