The neurobiological effects of stress on adolescent decision making

Abstract

Relative to other developmental periods, adolescence is characterized by risky decision making, increased perceived stress and heightened reactivity to acute stress. It is also during this time that individuals undergo significant neurodevelopment in brain regions that process decision making and stress. In this review, we summarize what is currently known about stress during adolescence, how it impacts risky decision-making, and how acute stress may exert neurobiological effects on circuitry that subserves decision-making in the developing brain. We conclude by suggesting future research directions that may help the field gain traction on this important, but relatively understudied, question.

Keywords: HPA; IGT; Iowa Gambling Task; OFC; PFC; SES; adolescence; decision making; fMRI; functional magnetic resonance imaging; hypothalamic pituitary adrenal; neurodevelopment; orbitofrontal cortex; prefrontal cortex; socioeconomic status; stress.