Fractional anisotropy values are reduced in the corpus callosum and middle orbital gyrus in obese teens. Researchers also discovered a positive correlation between these brain changes and neuroinflammation, insulin levels, and leptin resistance.
No association was found between oral contraceptive use and depressive symptom severity in females aged 16 to 25. However, 16-year-olds who take the pill reported higher depressive symptom severity than their peers who did not use oral birth control.
Mothers who address their teens with a neutral tone of voice elicit more positive and less negative emotions in their children, increasing closeness. Those who speak with a controlling tone evoke negative emotions and have a less close bond with their teenage child.
Study identifies three distinct types of teen popularity, prosocial popular, aggressive popular, and bistrategic popular or Machiavellian. The Machiavellian teens were considered most popular, despite being above average on both physical and relational aggression traits, as they displayed the most prosocial behavior.
Teenage girls who experience inadequate sleep have an increased risk of obesity than their peers who prefer to sleep early. Interventions aimed at improving sleep schedules could be useful preventative tools for curbing obesity in teenagers.
A positive correlation has been identified between prosocial and rebellious behaviors in teens. The more risk taking behaviors a teen exhibited, the more likely they were to act prosocially. The findings suggest the same developmental processes are at work for both types of behaviors. Also noted was faster brain development in the medial prefrontal cortex predicted a decrease in rebellious behavior.
Many teens are turning away from using traditional marijuana and are using marijuana concentrates. Marijuana concentrates increate the risk for addiction, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.
An advanced neuroimaging study reveals how organophosphate exposure in the womb leads to altered brain activity in teens.
Neuroimaging study reveals teens with more gray matter in the caudate nucleus and left cerebellum were at increased risk of problem alcohol use over time. The findings reinforce the idea that brain structure differences may contribute to both psychiatric and substance use disorders.
The incidence and rates of suicide attempts by self-poisoning in teens and young adults have increased significantly since 2011. Girls are at higher risk of attempting suicide as a result of self-poisoning, researchers report.
Heavy drinking during adolescence negatively impacts brain development and growth. Chronic alcohol exposure reduces cerebral white matter and the development of the subcortical thalamus.
Teenagers who regularly eat breakfast with their parents have a more positive body image than those who skip the meal or do not eat with their family.
