Imbalance model of brain development: a new theorical point of view in the understanding of risk behavior in adolescence
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This paper was realized with the purpose to describe the imbalance model of brain development and present empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis on neurodevelopment in adolescence.DEVELOPMENT: Adolescence is a critical period in brain maturation with important implications for affective–social and cognitive dimensions. At this stage there is an increase in risk behaviors and difficulties in decision–making. Classical theories explain this peculiarity referring to the immaturity of a group of higher cognitive processes, however, recent evidence indicates that the basic skills of information processing and its neural substrates have reached their maximum point of development in this period. Imbalance model of brain development is a novel theoretical approach, based on neuroscience, which offers an alternative explanation for the prevalence of risk behaviors and traditional deficit in decision–making during adolescence. The model posits the existence of an asynchronous development between the prefrontal structures in relation to neural areas related to socio–emotional processes. In particular, motivational and emotional subcortical connections develop earlier than they do prefrontal regions related to control. This imbalance leads to maturation increased motivational dominance subcortical regions compared to the prefrontal regions.CONCLUSIONS: The imbalance in the maturation of the prefrontal cortex prevents the optimal development of cognitive control system, allowing the socioemotional system exerts a guiding role in the control of behavior at this age.
Author: Yunier Broche Pérez
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W1545125546