Neural Underpinnings of Social Contextual Influences on Adolescent Risk-Taking
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ADOLESCENT/YOUNG ADULT ADDICTION (M HEITZEG, SECTION EDITOR)
Neural Underpinnings of Social Contextual Influences on Adolescent Risk-Taking Seh-Joo Kwon 1 & Caitlin C. Turpyn 1 & Natasha Duell 1 & Eva H. Telzer 1 Published online: 15 August 2020 # Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract Purpose of Review Adolescence is a developmental period often characterized by heightened risk-taking and increased sensitivity to socially salient stimuli. In this report, we discuss how the developing brain serves as both a link between and a susceptibility factor for, social contextual factors and risk-taking in adolescence. Recent Findings Neural activity in regions related to affective processing, cognitive control, and social cognition, which continue to develop across the adolescent years, shapes the relationship between adolescents’ social environment and their risk-taking. Summary Examining neural patterns of adolescent brain development enriches our understanding of how adolescents’ complex social environment modulates their risk-taking behavior, which may have implications for adolescents’ current and future substance use. Keywords Adolescence . Parent influence . Peer influence . Substance use . Brain development . fMRI
Introduction Substance use rises markedly during adolescence [1]. By twelfth grade, over 50% of adolescents have tried alcohol, about 20% have reported using prescription medicine for non-medical purposes, and approximately 40% have tried cigarettes [2]. The rise in substance use during adolescence poses serious public health concerns and has detrimental implications to adolescents’ long-term well-being. Indeed, substance use, misuse, and addiction are among the leading causes of adolescent morbidity and mortality in the USA [3]. Furthermore, initiating substance use during adolescence poses an increased risk for substance addiction and abuse of multiple substances [4, 5]. The long-term consequences of substance use in adolescence are manifold, including risk for me nta l h e alth , po or a ca de mic p erf or m an c e, an d neurocognitive problems [5–7].
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Adolescent/Young Adult Addiction * Eva H. Telzer [email protected] 1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 235 E. Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
One likely reason for the rise in substance use during adolescence is the increased propensity for risk-taking that is characteristic of the second decade of life. Cross-national reports of experimental and real-world risk-taking (e.g., healthrelated risks, antisocial risks) have demonstrated increases in risk-taking across adolescence such that it peaks during late adolescence [8]. Various biopsychosocial factors are thought to contribute to adolescents’ propensity for risk. For instance, puberty is thought to induce key hormonal changes that result in the reorganization of dopaminergic pathways to rewardrelated brain regions [9]. In effect, adolescents evince a heightened sensitivity to rewards and an increased tendency to seek out exc
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