Adolescent Brain Resources

In 2002, PBS produced a series called, "Inside the Teenage Brain,"chronicling research and explanations for why adolescents behave the way they do.

Chapters include:
Teenagers' Inexplicable Behavior
The Wiring of the Adolescent Brain
Mood Swings
"You Just Don't Understand"
From Zzzzz's to A's
Are There Lessons for Parents?

Click here to read an interview with Dr. Jay Giedd, one of the leading researchers referenced in the segment, "The Wiring of the Adolescent Brain."

"Nature made the brains of children and adolescents excitable. Their brain chemistry is tuned to be responsive to everything in their environment. After all, that's what makes kids learn so easily. But this can work in ways that are not so good. Take alcohol, for example. Or nicotine, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy..."

From March 1, 2010 NPR segment, "The Teen Brain:  It's Just Not Grown Up Yet."

A collaboration among Cornell University, the University of Rochester and the NYS Center for School Safety, called ACT for Youth, produced this May 2002 Fact Sheet.  This 4-page summary highlights the most important aspects of teen brain development and the implications for substance abuse.