Studies of adolescent brain development point to neurophysiological factors that could enhance the likelihood of substance use/abuse in those between 14 years of age and 17 years of age (Steinberg et al., 2008; Steinberg, 2010a, b; Nixon and McClain, 2010; Spear, 2011). Significant changes in the dopaminergic system occur during adolescence, as well as growth and refinement of prefrontal and limbic circuitry (Bava and Tapert, 2010; Doremus-Fitzwater et al., 2010; Galvan, 2010; Koob and Volkow, 2010; Naneix et al., 2012). As a result of the early enhanced activity of the mesolimbic system in contrast to the more slowly maturing prefrontal control systems and their connections to other brain regions, changes in the adolescent brain may lead to enhanced risk taking compared to earlier and later stages of maturation. Specifically, these changes may lead to a reduced cognitive control of the reward system in the brain in early to middle adolescence, leading to increased risk for alcohol and other substance abuse disorders (Casey et al., 2008; Casey and Jones, 2010; Somerville and Casey, 2010).
