The prefrontal cortex is the anterior-most part of the brain used for thinking, reasoning, and emotional regulation. It is one of the last areas of the brain to mature. However, it is active and engaged throughout the teenage years while it makes more and more neural connections.
To help you better understand the role of the prefrontal cortex in teenagers’ development, this page will explore:
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain located directly behind the forehead. It is often called the “control center of the brain” as it helps us:
The prefrontal cortex is connected to multiple other brain regions through neural pathways, particularly with the limbic system. These connections make all the executive functions possible.[1]
Here is what it helps us do:
The teen brain reaches close to its full adult size by early adolescence; however, it does not become fully wired until about the mid-to-late 20s.[2]
Brain development follows a back-to-front pattern. The parts of the brain located at the back, which handle basic sensory processing and movement, mature earlier than the frontal part of the brain.
The functions of the prefrontal cortex require extensive neural wiring that develops slowly over a period of many years. This wiring takes place through two processes:
The teen prefrontal lobe is slightly different from an adult one in terms of both structure and function. Some of these differences include:
“Executive function” is the umbrella term that scientists use for a set of mental skills that let a person set a goal and work toward it. It includes:
These skills are largely run by the prefrontal cortex. Different mental skills use different parts of the prefrontal cortex, and these parts tend to grow at different speeds. This is why a teen can seem to be great at one skill while still catching up on another.
In fact, a large review of over 400 brain scans found that in teens, only working memory was noted as a separate skill. In adults, however, working memory, self-control, and flexible thinking could each be identified as separate skills.[4]
Therefore, having a developing prefrontal cortex means teens could have an inconsistent capability of producing adult-level responses. In other words, a teenager could potentially make a thoughtful, well-controlled decision – they often just cannot do it as reliably as an adult can during times of stress.
Teens are known for taking more risks than adults, and there is a scientific explanation for why. The brain has a reward system that lights up when a person expects or receives something pleasurable. It matures earlier than the prefrontal cortex, which helps you plan ahead and think through consequences.
Due to the gap in timing of maturation, teens typically feel a stronger pull toward exciting experiences. But, at the same time, their brain may not have yet built the tools to weigh any possible risks of the experience against rewards.
Research also finds that teens who believe they are being watched by their peers show more activity in reward-related brain areas. This activity could predict how much risk they go on to take. However, being with peers has no effect on the brain regions tied to the ability to think things through.[5]
Reasoning is the ability to take in information and use it to draw conclusions.
Younger children tend to think in concrete terms. That is, they consider the things they can see, touch, or directly experience.
During the teen years, the brain gains the ability to think more abstractly. Neuroscience research shows that concrete reasoning and abstract reasoning rely on different parts of the brain.[6] And the ability to reason about a purely abstract idea only shows up later in adolescence.
Reasoning also depends on working memory, so stronger working memory and reasoning skills earlier in childhood are linked to better complex problem-solving in adolescence. As the prefrontal cortex matures, reasoning becomes more consistent and is relatively less affected by immediate emotions.
Feeling a strong emotion is normal at any age, but as we age, we typically start having better control over our emotions. Emotional regulation is our brain’s ability to manage our feelings so that they do not take over our actions.
The amygdala in the brain is responsible for how we react to emotional cues in our surroundings. Normally, the prefrontal cortex acts as a kind of chaperone that steps in to calm down the amygdala’s reactions so you can respond to the situation thoughtfully.
The relationship between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex develops slowly throughout our teenage years and early twenties. In adulthood, the prefrontal cortex grows more capable of managing the amygdala.
Also, when hormone levels rise during puberty, the amygdala itself grows in size and becomes more reactive, which can lead to more intense emotional reactions.
Difficulty regulating both positive and negative emotions is one of the primary reasons why some people have a higher risk of developing mental health conditions during their teen years.
Mission Prep is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
The prefrontal cortex does mature later than other brain regions, but it is not the sole reason behind unpredictable teen behavior.
However, on social media, the idea of a developing teen brain is often framed as the reason behind reckless teen behavior. Yet, neuroscience research says that this developing phase is a period of opportunity. The same drive that can push teens toward risk-taking is also associated with better learning and stronger social skills in teenagers compared to adults.[7]
The changes that happen during typical prefrontal cortex development are typically not severe enough to cause mental illness or dangerous behaviors on their own. This development is a normal transition, similar to other well-known transitions the body goes through, like puberty itself.
The environment a teen grows up in plays a major role in their behavior. Some environmental and social factors that can explain teen behavior include:
Parents often have the most control over the environment in which their child grows up.
For instance, research says that warm caregiving is associated with the release of oxytocin and other neurochemicals that help a teen build emotional control.[8] On the other hand, harsh parenting could cause a sustained spike in cortisol that prevents typical development of brain circuits responsible for emotional regulation.
Here are some evidence-supported ways parents can support healthy brain development during the teen years:
No matter the steps you take, a teen’s prefrontal cortex will still take time to fully mature. But your supportive behavior during this transition could help them stay safe and avoid reckless behavior that could harm them or those around them.
Mission Prep provides treatment for teens experiencing various mental health conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-901-4047 to learn about your treatment options.
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Nearly one in five adolescents in the United States have a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition.[9] So, while some degree of impulsivity and emotional intensity is a normal part of the teenage experience, if you believe your teen’s mood is persistently low or their behavior is becoming dangerous, it’s important to seek professional support.
At Mission Prep Teen Treatment, we offer a variety of treatment programs and use evidence-based therapeutic approaches and innovative interventions to foster sustainable change for adolescents and their families.
Whether your teen could benefit from residential treatment at one of our locations, or something more flexible like an outpatient mental health program or virtual telehealth to treat their mental health concerns, our team can help.
Mission Prep Teen Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with most major providers. We are happy to help you check your insurance coverage for mental health care.
Contact us online or call 866-901-4047 to speak with a caring member of our team who can answer any questions you might have. Reach out for a free, no-obligation conversation.
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