The adolescent period is marked by important neural circuit remodeling that coincides with maturation of behavioral functions within the social, cognitive and affective domains. While the study of the adolescent brain and its development has attracted an increased amount of research in the past decade, many gaps in knowledge remain that prevent us to fully understand this unique developmental period and its importance for successful adult behavioral functioning. For instance, we are still lacking an exhaustive characterization of the timeline along which changes within the brain at multiple levels of analysis (molecular, cellular, circuit) occur during this developmental period, and how they can be influencing and interacting with each other. Traditionally, reorganization of circuits at different levels of analysis are studied independently from one another leading to a lack of integrative understanding. Furthermore, how and/or which central changes are causally responsible for behavioral maturation remain elusive.
Neuroimaging studies in human subjects have helped us understand aspects of the link between the developing brain and behavior during the adolescent period. However, human subjects-based research is impeded by its own limitations that can be overcome by the use of animal models. In this research topic, we aim to bring together the latest animal-based research that provide new insights on the changes that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood at the brain (from cellular to long-range connections levels) and/or behavioral levels.
We welcome studies that focus on how typical maturational processes during adolescence can be influenced by environmental factors to promote or hinder the acquisition of adult social, cognitive or emotional functions. We particularly encourage studies examining adolescent changes in both males and females. The vast majority of work that have so far investigated maturation of adolescent systems and behaviors focus on male subjects. However, there are strong evidence for sex-specific developmental trajectories and mechanisms that deserve further investigation.
The adolescent period is marked by important neural circuit remodeling that coincides with maturation of behavioral functions within the social, cognitive and affective domains. While the study of the adolescent brain and its development has attracted an increased amount of research in the past decade, many gaps in knowledge remain that prevent us to fully understand this unique developmental period and its importance for successful adult behavioral functioning. For instance, we are still lacking an exhaustive characterization of the timeline along which changes within the brain at multiple levels of analysis (molecular, cellular, circuit) occur during this developmental period, and how they can be influencing and interacting with each other. Traditionally, reorganization of circuits at different levels of analysis are studied independently from one another leading to a lack of integrative understanding. Furthermore, how and/or which central changes are causally responsible for behavioral maturation remain elusive.
Neuroimaging studies in human subjects have helped us understand aspects of the link between the developing brain and behavior during the adolescent period. However, human subjects-based research is impeded by its own limitations that can be overcome by the use of animal models. In this research topic, we aim to bring together the latest animal-based research that provide new insights on the changes that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood at the brain (from cellular to long-range connections levels) and/or behavioral levels.
We welcome studies that focus on how typical maturational processes during adolescence can be influenced by environmental factors to promote or hinder the acquisition of adult social, cognitive or emotional functions. We particularly encourage studies examining adolescent changes in both males and females. The vast majority of work that have so far investigated maturation of adolescent systems and behaviors focus on male subjects. However, there are strong evidence for sex-specific developmental trajectories and mechanisms that deserve further investigation.
