This book is the foundation of unlocking one of the greatest mysteries mankind has faced throughout history...the teen brain. The teen brain is fundamentally different from the brain of an adult or of a child, so this book provides a starting point for understanding how young people think and act. It summarizes the differences succinctly by capturing the most relevant and current research findings on adolescent brain and behavior development and putting them into the context of our current society and its demands; so we can better understand our teens' and their thinking! Adolescent Brain Development also provides insight into ongoing changes in health and education policies that reflect a better understanding of adolescent brain development.

Adolescent Brain Development is for a broad audience and assumes at least some background knowledge in biology, neuroscience, or psychology. It is a valuable resource for educators in designing engaging and appropriate lesson material for teens, as well as for understanding developmental behavior changes in teens. There are important practical applications within for health care personnel, particularly in the mental health field as well as for policy makers who want to make informed decisions in health and education policies. Researchers and students will benefit greatly from this broad overview which includes extensive examples from both authors' experience. Parents and their teenagers will also find this book an excellent resource for why these changes happen.

Lisa Wright, Dalhousie University
Dr. Lisa Wright, Ph.D., is a neuroscience researcher, author, instructor, business owner, and a mother of two. She obtained her Ph.D. in psychology and neuroscience in 2011 at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Both her master's and doctoral research work was funded by the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation. Her doctoral thesis work, supervised by Dr. Tara Perrot, involved investigating the effects of adolescent stressor exposure on development of the brain, the endocrine system, and behavior, using a rat model. She then went on to study endocrine and behavioral profiles of humans in various circumstances, such as following sleep deprivation or in adolescent girls who have been diagnosed with conduct disorder. She has also taught a number of courses at Dalhousie University and Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Dr. Wright's business, Fit Brain Training (www.fitbrain.ca), is co-owned and operated with her longtime mentor, Dr. Perrot. Dr. Wright and Dr. Perrot have a previous contribution to this series, entitled "Stress and the Developing Brain." Dr. Wright's daughters are 4 years old (Charlotte) and 1 year old (Paladina).

Table of Contents
Introduction
Adolescent Brain Development
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescent Social Dynamics
Links to Underlying Brain Development
Putting it All in Context
References
Author Biographies