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What Is Involved in Frontal Lobe Development?
Frontal lobe development begins soon after conception and continues until a person reaches young adulthood. The most rapid change in the frontal lobe occurs right before adolescence, when neuron growth surges. As a child enters puberty, the brain begins trimming away excess neurons as gray matter begins growing, until it reaches its adult weight in a person's early to mid 20s.
A child is born with many neurons and connecting synapses. Links used frequently grow stronger while those rarely used are considered non-essential and pruned away. At the same time, new synapses continue to form. This process of brain development in adolescence controls inhibition, emotional response, decision making, and long-term planning.
When infants are six to 12 months of age, frontal lobe growth occurs in spurts as a child learns to walk and talk. Important information is retained during this time and non-essential data gets pruned away during certain critical development points.
Some scientists believe delayed frontal lobe development explains why some adolescents show poor impulse control and engage in risky behaviors. During this period of rapid development, the brain's amygdala section, the area responsible for gut reaction and heightened arousal, might become overactive. At the same time these changes occur, myelin, tissue surrounding nerves, begins growing in the frontal brain.
Myelin forms connections with different parts of the brain and sends signals based on experiences. The brain is not fully functional until these connections become intact. During this period, teens develop the ability to control impulses, including sexual urges; set goals; determine right from wrong; and hone their social skills.
If development in this part of the brain fails to occur, it might lead to attention deficit hyperactivity disorders or psychological problems. One study linked poor frontal lobe development to antisocial personality disorder. A deficit in brain growth might also hinder concentration and decision-making skills. Researchers found illicit drug use, premature birth, and brain injury also affect how this region of the brain develops.
Experts believe brain growth occurs at a different rate in individuals. The brain of a 16-year-old might be fully developed, while a sibling’s brain might not reach full maturity until his mid-20s. These factors have been used in defending teens who commit crimes by arguing they lacked the ability to control impulses because of immature brain development.
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![Frontal lobe development is complete in young adulthood.]()
By: Ilenia PagliariniFrontal lobe development is complete in young adulthood. -
![Social skills are honed during the teen years.]()
By: Andy DeanSocial skills are honed during the teen years. -
![Delayed frontal lobe development may explain why some teenagers show poor impulse control.]()
By: BlueSkyImagesDelayed frontal lobe development may explain why some teenagers show poor impulse control. -
![Researchers have found that brain injury affects how the frontal lobe develops.]()
By: Verity JohnsonResearchers have found that brain injury affects how the frontal lobe develops. -
![Frontal lobe damage can cause loss of fine motor control.]()
By: Petro FeketaFrontal lobe damage can cause loss of fine motor control. -
![A deficit in frontal lobe growth may end up hindering concentration and decision-making skills.]()
By: Petro FeketaA deficit in frontal lobe growth may end up hindering concentration and decision-making skills. -
![Poor frontal lobe development may be linked to antisocial personality disorder.]()
By: ViewApartPoor frontal lobe development may be linked to antisocial personality disorder.
Discussion Comments
I have read if the individual is drinking alcohol and doing drugs it can affect this frontal cortex development and it is a critical stage that cannot be fixed later. If damage is done at that time the individual will be fixed at that stage development and will affect behavior and processing of information, and consequences.
Yikes! - The brain has a lot of growing to do in adolescence and even into young adulthood. That frontal brain just behind the forehead gets really busy.
You see teenagers stumbling over their own feet, arms flailing and not quite sure how to get from point A to point B. Their impulses are not under control and it might take some time for that to happen. Some are trying hard to pay attention without getting distracted and making decisions and imagining the consequences. And then there's the social skills needed for social situations for the rest of their lives.
This has happened or will happen to all of us. Parents and teachers and others, our children will get through it.
If enough tests have been done showing that there is a big surge in frontal brain development from the ages of six months to 12 months, parents and care takers should be particularly aware of this.
If certain disabilities develop during this state in a child's life, like hyperactivity, attention
deficits, possibly autism, and other disabilities, more research should be done to find out what can be done to prevent improper development of the frontal brain at this crucial stage of development.
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