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Exploratory tendencies may link to brain process in preteens

Adolescents who explore and pursue new experiences may have alternative brain processes compared with preteens who do not, according to preliminary findings presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 2015 annual meeting.

“These data provide initial evidence that connectivity between the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior putamen/insula correlates with exploratory tendencies emerging in early adolescents,” Andrew Kayser, MD, PhD, assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco, and American Academy of Neurology member, and colleagues wrote.

Andrew Kayser

Kayser and colleagues analyzed 62 girls aged 11 to 13 years, split into two groups, explorers (n = 41) and non-explorers (n = 21). The explorer group had recently begun developing a new task, which was defined in the study as: “the degree to which the relative uncertainty of rewards directs responding towards less well-evaluated choices.”

Researchers evaluated the behavioral measures and resting state functional MRI scans of both groups. Results demonstrated that the explorers had a strong lateralized connection between the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex and the posterior putamen/insula.

“The preponderant direction of neural influence may proceed from posterior to anterior, rather than vice versa,” the researchers wrote.

"This research is fascinating because it could help us to understand how exploration can lead to both good and bad behaviors that promote or reduce well-being in teenagers. If we can better understand these brain connections, down the road we may be able to come up with a way to better identify teens most likely to engage in dangerous or risky behaviors,” Kayser said in a press release.

Disclosure:  Healio.com/Family Medicine could not confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.

Reference:

Kayser A, et al. A functional MRI study of exploratory behaviors in early adolescence. Presented at: American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; April 18-25, 2015; Washington DC. Accessed February 22, 2015.