Link to article: http://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/parenting-issues/the-teenage-brain-under-construction The article starts by stating that the brain begins to undergo massive change and growth at the onset of adolescence between 11 and 13 years of age. This period of growth usually occurs all the way until the brain's full development at around 24-25 years old. During this period of change, many thousands of neural pathways are being formed and refined through a process called pruning. During the pruning process, neurons that do not get enough nutrition or are not being used simply die off. The pruning process slows the process of acquiring new skills. The article then goes on to get more specific with some of the chemicals that are at highly involved in changing the brain. First on the list are the main hormones testosterone and estrogen, followed by 4 neurotransmitters, oxytocin, serotonin, vasopressin, and dopamine....
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