Overview

An internationally respected neurologist offers a revolutionary look at the brains of adolescents, providing surprising insights-including why smart kids often do stupid things-and practical advice for adults and teens. In this groundbreaking, accessible book, Dr. Frances E. Jensen-a mother, teacher, researcher, and internationally known expert in neurology-introduces us to the mystery and magic of the teen brain. One of the first books to focus exclusively on the neurological development of adolescents, The Teenage Brain presents new findings, dispels widespread myths, and provides practical suggestions for negotiating this difficult and dynamic life stage for both adults and adolescents. Interweaving easy-to-follow scientific data with anecdotes drawn from her experiences as a parent, clinician, and public speaker, Dr. Jensen explores adolescent brain functioning and development, including learning and memory, and investigates the impact of influences such as drugs, multitasking, sleep, and stress. The Teenage Brain reveals how: Adolescents may not be as resilient to the effects of drugs as we previously thought. Occasional use of marijuana has been shown to cause lingering memory problems, and long-term use can affect later adulthood IQ. Multitasking causes divided attention and can reduce learning ability. Emotionally stressful situations in adolescence can have permanent effects on mental health and may lead to higher risk for certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression.Rigorous yet accessible, warm yet direct, The Teenage Brain sheds new light on young adults and provides practical suggestions for how parents, schools, and even the legal system can better help them during this crucial period.

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9781483005690

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Reviews

Frances Jensen has brilliantly translated academic science and clinical studies...A 'must read' for parents, teachers, school nurses, and many others who live with or interact with teens. -- S. Jean Emans, MD, chief, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School Marvelous...Dr. Jensen uses her considerable expertise as a neuroscientist and a mother to explain the recent explosion of adolescent brain research and how this research can help us better understand and help young people. -- Carol A. Ford, MD, president, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine; professor of pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania; and chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Neurologist Jensen, a divorced mother of two teenage boys, and science writer Nutt liken the brain of a teen to a brand-new Ferrari: 'It's primed and pumped, but it hasn't been road tested yet. In other words, it's all revved up but doesn't quite know where to go'...The authors of this sensible, scientific, and stimulating book advise parents of teens to set limits, stay involved, be cognizant of the emotional needs of their children, and remain positive. -- Booklist This well-written, accessible work surveys recent research into the adolescent brain, a subject relatively unexplored until just this past decade. The result illuminates the specific ways in which the teen brain differs from that of a child or an adult...Speaking as one parent to another, [the authors] offers support and a way for parents to understand and relate to their own soon-to-be-adult offspring. -- Publishers Weekly Applies new science to the frustrating dilemma of how to live with teenage kids. -- Library Journal (starred review)

Applies new science to the frustrating dilemma of how to live with teenage kids. -- Library Journal (starred review) This well-written, accessible work surveys recent research into the adolescent brain, a subject relatively unexplored until just this past decade. The result illuminates the specific ways in which the teen brain differs from that of a child or an adult...Speaking as one parent to another, [the authors] offers support and a way for parents to understand and relate to their own soon-to-be-adult offspring. -- Publishers Weekly Neurologist Jensen, a divorced mother of two teenage boys, and science writer Nutt liken the brain of a teen to a brand-new Ferrari: 'It's primed and pumped, but it hasn't been road tested yet. In other words, it's all revved up but doesn't quite know where to go'...The authors of this sensible, scientific, and stimulating book advise parents of teens to set limits, stay involved, be cognizant of the emotional needs of their children, and remain positive. -- Booklist Marvelous...Dr. Jensen uses her considerable expertise as a neuroscientist and a mother to explain the recent explosion of adolescent brain research and how this research can help us better understand and help young people. -- Carol A. Ford, MD, president, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine; professor of pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania; and chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Frances Jensen has brilliantly translated academic science and clinical studies...A 'must read' for parents, teachers, school nurses, and many others who live with or interact with teens. -- S. Jean Emans, MD, chief, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Applies new science to the frustrating dilemma of how to live with teenage kids. -- Library Journal (starred review) Frances Jensen has brilliantly translated academic science and clinical studies...A 'must read' for parents, teachers, school nurses, and many others who live with or interact with teens. -- S. Jean Emans, MD, chief, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School Marvelous...Dr. Jensen uses her considerable expertise as a neuroscientist and a mother to explain the recent explosion of adolescent brain research and how this research can help us better understand and help young people. -- Carol A. Ford, MD, president, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine; professor of pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania; and chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Neurologist Jensen, a divorced mother of two teenage boys, and science writer Nutt liken the brain of a teen to a brand-new Ferrari: 'It's primed and pumped, but it hasn't been road tested yet. In other words, it's all revved up but doesn't quite know where to go'...The authors of this sensible, scientific, and stimulating book advise parents of teens to set limits, stay involved, be cognizant of the emotional needs of their children, and remain positive. -- Booklist This well-written, accessible work surveys recent research into the adolescent brain, a subject relatively unexplored until just this past decade. The result illuminates the specific ways in which the teen brain differs from that of a child or an adult...Speaking as one parent to another, [the authors] offers support and a way for parents to understand and relate to their own soon-to-be-adult offspring. -- Publishers Weekly

Author Information

Frances Jensen, MD, is a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and a senior associate in neurology at Children's Hospital Boston. She is an internationally known expert in neurology and the teenage brain. Jensen directs a host of public and privately funded clinical research projects and consults both for the media and the government on matters of adolescent neurology. Amy Ellis Nutt is a science journalist at the Washington Post and the recipient of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in feature writing; she was a finalist in feature writing in 2009. Her book Shadows Bright as Glass: The Remarkable Story of One Man's Journey from Brain Trauma to Artistic Triumph was published by Free Press in 2011. Jane Jacobs is a voice-over artist who can be heard in dozens of animated films, audiobooks, commercials, and promotional materials.

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