Hormones
What does the pituitary gland do?
Release hormones that tell other glands and organs to release hormones as well
What effects can not enough sleep have in teens?
Shortened attention span, memory issues, poor decision making
Which part of the brain is not fully developed until 25?
Prefrontal cortex
What is neuroplasticity?
The ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections
What are critical periods?
A period during someone's development in which a particular skill or characteristic is believed to be most readily acquired
What do the growth hormones and endorphins do?
Growth hormone stimulates height, bone and muscle growth; endorphins alleviate pain, lower stress, and improve mood
Effects of improper nutrition in teens?
can experience health complications like stunted growth, delayed puberty, menstrual irregularities, and other conditions
What is the prefrontal cortex in charge of?
Decision making and judgement
How to encourage neuroplasticity?
Doing stimulating activities like playing piano, learning a language, and listening to music
Are there more major critical periods for physical development during childhood or adolescence?
Childhood
Give an example of what hormones the pituitary gland produces?
Growth hormone and endorphins among others
Effects of not exercising in teens?
Less efficient immune system, body systems, and major health problems like heart disease etc
Which part of the brain do teens rely on when making fast, spontaneous decisions, instead of thought out decisions?
Amygdala
Effects of drugs on neuroplasticity?
Drugs that directly activate the reward system may produce changes to neural pathways and encourage individuals to continue and repeat drug seeking behaviors
What’s a major critical period in adolescent physical development?
Puberty
What condition can cause problems with the pituitary gland?
A tumor
Effects of a non challenging environment?
If a person’s mind is never stimulated they will not be taking advantage of their brain’s neuroplasticity and will not make new neural connections by learning which can cause an underdeveloped brain
What kind of behaviour is more likely in teens? Give example
Risky behaviour; Substance abuse
Effects of neuroplasticity after illness?
Neuroplasticity allows people to regain abilities that were temporarily lost e.g learning how to talk again after a stroke
What happens if someone misses a physical critical period in adolescence?
Missing the window for puberty for example would result in permanent impairments with effects like your body not reaching full maturity, full height, and stay looking like a child
What effects can a pituitary gland that's not working properly have on a teenager?
Interfere with release of hormones, affect things like growth, and cause improper development
Effects of no socialization in teens?
Stunts social, cognitive, and emotional development. Can increase chances of dementia by 50%, heart disease by 29%, and stroke by 32%
What is the leading cause of death among teenagers in North America?
Motor vehicle crashes with about half involving substances like alcohol or drugs
Effects of neuroplasticity after injury?
Neuroplasticity allows people to regain abilities that were temporarily lost following a traumatic event e.g learning to walk after injury to spinal cord
What effects would missing a cognitive critical period in childhood have on that person in adolescence?
In cases like Genie Wiley, who was isolated in a room by herself, she was not able to properly develop her cognitive skills which resulted in permanent impairments and a smaller brain than normal.