The Puberty Files
Dateline: 04/16/98
We all know that puberty can be emotionally stressful --with all of the changes accompanying "growing up" -- but can it also be physically stressful? Recent research suggests that exposure to stress during puberty has profound physical changes that may alter behavior and brain chemistry. Hmm, I bet teens and their parents already knew this!
Researchers have been able to uncover a link between social maturation, nervous system changes, and behavioral responses. Hamsters subjected to stress during puberty were found to have a higher level of both serotonin and vasopressin which could contribute to inappropriate behaviors.
To test the responses of hamsters, scientists placed adolescent hamsters in a small cage with older "bully" hamsters. After being subjected to this stress, the adolescent hamsters were found to exhibit notable changes in behavior. They became more aggressive with younger smaller hamsters but more passive with similar sized animals. Unstressed adolescents did not display the same kind of behavioral responses.
The scientists speculated that the stressed hamsters had experienced decreased vasopressin and increased serotonin when confronted by animals of similar size. Likewise, the reverse levels seemed to occur when the stressed hamsters confronted the smaller animals.
These studies, performed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, also discovered a link between the above behavior and brain chemistry. The stressed adolescents' brains had reduced levels of vasopressin and increased levels of serotonin. Previously completed research demonstrated that vasopressin often facilitates aggressive behaviors while serotonin inhibits aggression.
The authors stressed that additional research must be conducted. They hope to continue studying the interactions between puberty, stress, and the relative levels of serotonin and vasopressin in the brain. The authors speculated that the research might be expanded to see if these particular behavioral manifestations can be reversed with the appropriate chemical therapy.
What do you think? Stop by the Biology Forum to share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions.
For additional information see:
- Pitfalls Of Puberty
- Report on this study from Science Daily.
