Neuropsychologist Explains Teenage Brain Changes in Evening Talk

Neuropsychologist Lorena Nieto will deliver a talk this evening at 8pm at El Rusc centre, titled *No és personal, és cerebral. Neuropsicologia de l’adolescència*. The session will explore changes in the teenage brain and their effects on thinking, emotions and behaviour.

Nieto defines adolescent neuropsychology as the study of structural and functional brain changes that underpin typical teenage conduct. She stresses that the adolescent brain, still maturing, differs markedly from an adult's, leading to heightened impulsivity, a drive for rewarding experiences and limited self-control.

Key to this process are executive functions, housed in the prefrontal cortex—the brain's last region to fully develop. These govern planning, organisation, sequencing and long-term thinking, acting as the "orchestra conductor" for cognition and behaviour.

Families play a crucial role in navigating this turbulent phase, Nieto says, by fostering open expression as teens explore their identities. Parents should watch for warning signs like sudden behaviour shifts, habit changes, extreme irritability, sleep disruptions, apathy or loss of motivation, which may warrant further investigation.

A neuropsychological assessment complements psychological evaluations by focusing on cognitive areas such as attention, concentration, memory, learning and executive skills. It offers a distinct perspective, though not always essential.

Behaviours often misread as defiance—such as rude responses, disrespect or boundary-testing—stem from neurodevelopmental shifts, Nieto explains. While contextual understanding is vital, these still require addressing.

Restorative sleep is critical, especially in adolescence, with deficits causing irritability, concentration issues or demotivation. Intensive technology and social media use also harms mental health, disrupting attention, emotional regulation, social strategies and empathy, alongside eating patterns.

Nieto advocates practical strategies like healthy habits: adequate rest, balanced nutrition, socialising and exercise to manage stress, anxiety and attention challenges. Recent calls for screen-time limits reflect growing awareness of these risks.