Adolescence is an important period of development during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence is best defined by characteristic behaviors such as high social interaction, high levels of risk-taking, high exploration, impulsivity, novelty and sensation seeking, high activity and play behaviors. These are shared across species from humans (12 to 20-25 years of age), to rats (postnatal days 28 to 42) and many other species (Spear, 2000). The characteristic behaviors of adolescence likely represent continued cortical development of complex functions that include sensory motor systems, but also limbic and frontal cortical brain structures (Crews et al., 2007; Spear, 2000). Adolescent neuroplasticity allows environmental shaping of complex skills for development of adult behaviors appropriate for the environment and good for the survival of the family, group or herd. In mammals, complex behaviors are important for group interactions. Adolescents develop the social skills needed for independence, and appropriate adult behavioral repertoires, including becoming leaders and/or followers. The high impulsivity of adolescence likely represents an important risk factor for binge drinking and initiation of drinking experiences(de Wit, 2009). Major changes occur in
