Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


marietta1164924291.pdf (569.21 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Detection of Prefrontal Cortex Development into Early Adulthood

Fernandes, Ninette M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=marietta1164924291

Abstract Details

2006, Master of Arts, Marietta College, Psychology.
Based on neuroimaging evidence that the development and maturation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) continues beyond adolescence, and is completed only in early adulthood, this study was undertaken to determine if these functional differences in the human brain are evident in commonly used behavioral measures of PFC functioning. To this end, two age groups were tested. The 18-year-old participants represented the continuation of brain development, and the 22-25-year-old participants represented the completion, or near completion, of brain development. In support of the central hypothesis, the older group outperformed the younger group on PFC measures. The study also analyzed age differences in terms of tasks predominantly tapping the dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) and the ventromedial PFC (VMPFC). The hypothesis of larger age differences for the DLPFC, due to its later maturation, was not supported. A final purpose of this study was to examine if life stress could be a mediating factor in the cognitive maturation of the PFC. Results revealed that negative stress scores were the best predictors of PFC functioning, but that there was no strong systematic relationship between life stress and PFC functioning in the age groups tested.
Jennifer McCabe (Advisor)
89 p.
Prefrontal Cortex; Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex; Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex; Maturation and Development;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fernandes, N. M. (2006). The Detection of Prefrontal Cortex Development into Early Adulthood [Master's thesis, Marietta College]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=marietta1164924291

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fernandes, Ninette. The Detection of Prefrontal Cortex Development into Early Adulthood. 2006. Marietta College, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=marietta1164924291.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fernandes, Ninette. "The Detection of Prefrontal Cortex Development into Early Adulthood." Master's thesis, Marietta College, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=marietta1164924291

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

marietta1164924291
1,044
© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Marietta College and OhioLINK.