The Transitional Age Brain: "The Best of Times and the Worst of Times".
Over the past two decades, there have been substantial developments in the understanding of brain development and the importance of environmental inputs and context. This paper focuses on the neurodevelopmental mismatch that occurs during the epoch we term the 'transitional age brain' (ages 13-25) and the collateral behavioral correlates. We summarize research findings supporting the argument that, because of this neurodevelopmental mismatch, transitional age youth are at high risk for engaging in behaviors that lead to negative outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. We highlight the need to develop new, neuroscience-inspired health promotion and illness prevention approaches for transitional age youth.
Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Family, University of Vermont Medical Center, 1 South Prospect Street, Arnold 3, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA.
Winston W
WW
Chung
University of Vermont College of Medicine and Medical Center, 1 South Prospect Street, Arnold 3, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA. Electronic address: James.Huziak@med.uvm.edu.
James J
JJ
Hudziak
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D006803:Human Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D055815:Young Adult
Behavior; Brain development; Neuroscience; Transitional age brain; Transitional age youth