PSYC 429 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Synaptic Pruning, Limbic System, Executive Functions
19 Jun 2020
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Document Summary
Adolescent brain is remodeled through synaptic pruning and myelination in particular brain regions. Prefrontal cortex executive function, planning, controlling impulses, inhibitory control. Limbic system processing emotional experience, social information, reward and punishment, pleasure seeking area of the brain: pruning of the pfc occurs later than limbic system and is not complete until the mid. 20"s: pruning is good for the brain but pruning is taking place in the later years than limbic system. It is much more affective in controlling the limbic system around. 20s: continued myelination improves connectivity between different parts of the brain. Prefrontal cortex: patterns of activation within pfc generally become more focused. The adolescents become more focused than kids: activity in the pfc becomes increasingly coordinated with activity in other parts of the brain. Changes in how the brain is affected by certain neurotransmitters: dopamine (role in experience of reward, serotonin (role in experience of different moods: making adolescents more moody and emotional)
