About this Research Topic
This period of major neurodevelopmental maturation and reorganization drives a myriad of cognitive, social and behavioral changes, which ultimately lay the foundations for successful adult functioning.
However, this period of neurodevelopment also opens up increased vulnerability to affective and behavioral dysregulation, with a dramatic rise in the incidence of mental illness during adolescence. It is thus important to examine when, where and why maturational changes in brain structure and function occur, in order to better understand cognition and behavior in both typical and atypical populations.
The inception and advances in non-invasive neuroimaging techniques have allowed the field unprecedented opportunity to examine these questions, and the increasing prevalence of longitudinal studies allows us to interrogate intra-individual processes during adolescence.
In this Research Topic we aim to bring together the latest in neuroimaging research to understand the link between the developing brain and behavior in primarily typical development.
We also welcome studies of atypical populations common in adolescence (such as internalising and externalising disorders or symptomology).
Behavior in adolescence in broadly defined, including but not limited to, dimensions such as cognitive, language, academic and executive functioning, social and affective functioning, motor, decision making and risking behavior. Papers may examine impairments in such behaviors or aspects that support positive development of these behaviors.
We welcome studies applying a large array of neuroimaging techniques including, but not limited to, structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI), electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We particularly encourage studies examining pubertal influences, as well as longitudinal designs exploring intra-individual developmental trajectories relating to behavior. We welcome the submission of original research, reviews, perspectives as well as methodological papers.
Keywords: Adolescence, Neuroimaging, Neurodevelopment, Puberty, Behaviour
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.