The impact of adolescent stress experiences on neurobiological development

Adolescence is considered a developmental period of heightened vulnerability to many psychological dysfunctions-primarily due to the high structural neuronal plasticity that accompanies the associated physical and cognitive gains, rendering an individual highly susceptible to environmental stressors during this time. Recently, interest has been generated in the study of neuronal and behavioral adaptation to adverse experiences during adolescence. This review will provide an overview of the principal neurobehavioral changes that occur during adolescence and describe what happens when the maturation of these functions is altered by stressful environmental stimuli.