How Sleep Loss and Stress Affect Brain Development in Adolescents

Adolescence is a crucial period for brain development that if affected, can lead to long-lasting detrimental changes in adulthood.During adolescence, the body enters a transition period from childhood to adulthood where the brain continues to mature.For instance, the prefrontal cortex in particular is not fully developed during adolescence which is evident in decision making skills and cognitive abilities.Additionally, adolescents today experience a significant amount of sleep loss and emotional stress due to school pressures, home life, and social obligations that can tremendously alter brain development and further affect decision making and cognitive abilities.Therefore, understanding the unique pressures of adolescence is crucial for better brain development and overall health.This review will evaluate how sleep loss and stress in particular affect brain development in adolescents.This work will highlight the importance of healthy sleep and stress management habits for adolescents with the aim of fostering positive outcomes in adulthood.