The Adolescent Brain- a work in progress

Otago Girls’ High School

Wednesday 15 August 2007

Alison Everett

Brain Facts

The human brain: • is about the size of a small grapefruit

It can fit in the palm of your hand!

• weighs about 1.3 kg A gold fish’s brain only weighs about 0.01g!

• represents about 2% of our body weight but consumes about 20% of our energy

The more we think, the more kilojoules we burn!

• generates 25 watts of power while you're awakeThis is enough to illuminate a light bulb.

Brain Cells

Neurons (Nerve Cells) – about 10% of total• receive and transmit electrical impulses

Glial Cells – about 90% of total• hold neurons together and act as filters to keep

harmful substances out of the neurons

The brain is composed of over a trillion cells.

For each neuron•There are many dendrites which receive impulses•There is one axon which transmits impulses•The myelin sheath increases the speed of transmissions•Chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters help electrical signals between neurons work.

Seratonin and Dopamine

Seratonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that are prevalent in teenagers.

Why are teenage girls so moody?Seratonin controls mood, behaviour and depression among other things and low seratonin levels lead to moodiness and depression. In adolescent girls, seratonin levels tend to fluctuate all over the place.

Why do teenage boys risk their lives?Dopamine is linked to risk-taking behaviour. In adolescent boys dopamine levels tend to be more elevated than normal.

Brain StructureThere are three main regions inside brain.

Cerebrum - responsible for thinking and consciousness

Limbic System - responsible for emotion

and memory

Brainstem - responsible for survival mechanisms. (heartbeat, respiration, body temperature, digestion)

The outside of the brain is covered in folds which form the lobes.

Brain Development

• The brain develops over a period of about 24 years.

• The brain develops from the bottom, up the back over the top and around to the front.

During adolescence:• The brainstem is fully developed.• The limbic system is well developed

and dominant.• The cerebrum is gradually developing

as complicated brain functions that are required to do many adult tasks are developing. These include the ability to → organise information→ make plans→ make judgments→ follow through→ solve problems

So…• adolescents find it easier to operate on an

emotional or gut level rather than analytically.• adolescents are more likely to submit to their

emotions rather than make a rational decision

Adolescents see and approach the world differently than adults. Because they operate on an emotive rather than a rational level, what responsible thinking and behaviour means to them will not be the same as what it means to adults.

So…adults (teachers) need to be the frontal lobes for adolescents (students) – by setting boundaries and being consistent with them.

What is required for the brain to develop fully and correctly?

The right kind of stimulation at the right age.• Without stimulation neural connections don’t happen.

Brain activity is greatly reduced while playing many computer games and watching typical TV programs, even “exciting” ones. Stimulating activity of the type required for brain development does NOT take place!

• If a child’s brain is not stimulated regularly during key developmental periods then the brain will hardwire in a way that is detrimental to their thinking and behaviour.

• Stimulation must be balanced – over stimulation in some areas (such as accelerating literacy development) may mean a child misses out on stimulation in other areas (such as rough and tumble play).

• Major restructuring in the brain occurs.The introduction of any chemical into the brain at this time will affect brain development.

• Grey matter diminishes as neural connections that are not used or needed are pruned.Therefore it is important for adolescents to use regularly connections that help them develop a well rounded brain or they will lose them.

• Myelin increases 100×.This occurs earlier in girls than boys and is why girls develop emotionally earlier than boys.Water is vital for the production of myelin.

During adolescence:

Physical exercise:• Increases blood flow to the brain• Facilitates connections between

neurons• Increases levels of seratonin in the

brain• Raises endorphin levels, resulting

in enhanced feelings of comfort and well-being.

Movement is important for changing emotional state, energising kids and

neuron connection.

The Importance of Exercise …Mental Exercise• Strengthens and renews

neural connections

The brain is ‘plastic’ – as long as you’re engaging and using your mind, the dendrites on neurons continue to grow

enabling more connections to occur and this helps to avoid

brain diseases such as Alzheimers.

Manipulating objects with hands engages thinking!Some of us do our best thinking when we are out walking!

… and Nutrition• Large amounts of protein are needed to

help the brain develop properly• Water and cholesterol are necessary for the

production of myelin• Moderate portions of food containing

glucose can boost the performance and accuracy of working memory, attention and motor function.

• Carbohydrates increase the concentrations of tryptophan which is the amino acid responsible for producing seratonin

• Drugs that target behaviour also target the brain

Many students (and their teachers) do not eat a breakfast with sufficient glucose, nor drink enough

water during the day for healthy brain function.

The Brain and LearningRecent brain research suggests that• Each brain is unique and the brain’s structure is actually

changed by learning.• The brain performs many functions simultaneously and learning

is enhanced by an environment with a variety of stimuli.• The brain understands best when facts and skills are embedded

in natural spatial memory – create/mimic real world experiences.• Learning involves both focused attention and peripheral

perception. • Complex and meaningful challenges enhance learning and

engage the natural curiosity of the mind.• Learning engages the entire physiology – physical development,

personal comfort, emotional state.• Emotions and cognition cannot be separated – emotions can be

crucial to the storage and recall of information especially in adolescents!

Engaging the Adolescent BrainWhat impacts most on thinking and learning in teenagers?

Relationships

Expectations

Emotional Tags

Stress and Anxiety

Learning Environment

• These are vital for teenagers and their primary relationship will be with an adult rather than a peer. If we want to impact adolescents we must build relationships with them.

• Children will rise to the challenge if we raise the bar

• If something connects at an emotional level, that memory has a greater chance of being stored long term.

• Some factors that contribute are peer relations, bullying, poor self esteem, family conflict, homework, struggle for independence

• It should have good lighting, visual appeal, a comfortable temperature, etc

Quiz Answers

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