During adolescence, the frontal lobe, an area of the brain associated with planning, inhibition, emotion regulation, and integration of novel stimuli, goes through extensive neuromaturation, increasing in efficiency and specialization. In a study comparing prefrontal cortex volumes of adolescent heavy drinkers to non-drinkers and marijuana and alcohol users, prefrontal volumes were smaller in heavy drinkers relative to controls (p=.09) 35 (see Figure 2). This difference was particularly pronounced in females (p<.003), confirming previous studies that examined youth with comorbid drug and psychiatric disorders 36.
