Jean & Bill Booziotis Distinguished Lecture

Registration is FREE but required.

Why teen brain development and teens’ unpredictable behaviors are so important to forming adulthood

By Beatriz Luna, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry

We often think of the teen years as tumultuous, and from the perspective of parents or adults, they can be difficult to navigate. Teens at times may act like adults, yet at other times, they make unreasonable risky choices that leaves us baffled, often leading to conflict. However, brain development studies now show that these behavioral changes are critical for them to form into adaptive adults. For more than 20 years, we have been studying how the adolescent brain functions determining adulthood. Dr. Beatriz Luna will present her latest findings showing that brain chemicals that support reward behaviors change in specific ways during this time, helping us understand why teens can be impulsive and risk takers—and offering insight into why many mental illnesses emerge at this period. We have also found new evidence that the critical thinking parts of the teen brain are highly plastic. This helps us understand and appreciate the importance of the range of experiences—whether adaptive or risky behaviors—that teens gravitate toward. These experiences play a crucial role in forming the adult brain and preparing it for aging. In sum, the unpredictability of the teenage brain is a great and important part of brain development. Understanding the underlying brain mechanisms at this stage of development can inform approaches to support a healthier, more adaptive adulthood.

Background: Dr. Luna is Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Bioengineering, Pyschology and Radiology, and Staunton Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Luna’s research uses multimodal neuroimaging methods including: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI). Her findings have led to influential developmental models emphasizing the implications of specialization of different brain systems with regards to cognitive development.

About the event: This event is part of the Center for Vital Longevity’s Jean & Bill Booziotis Distinguished Lecture Series, made possible by the late Bill Booziotis, former president of Booziotis and Company Architects and Center for Vital Longevity Advisory Council Member. Bill Booziotis and his wife, Jean, established the series to bring the Center’s work, focused on understanding the science of the aging mind, to the public.

When: Wednesday, November 5

Time: 7 PM – 8 PM

Where: Communities Foundation of Texas
5500 Caruth Haven Ln, Dallas, TX 75225