New perspectives on neural systems models of adolescent behavior: Functional brain connectivity

Adolescence is a unique period of development defined in part by a heightened sensitivity to reward. As such, adolescents are more prone to behaviors such as risk-seeking and increased social interaction. However, the neural processes that drive these behaviors unique to adolescence are still largely unaccounted for. Prior work has attempted to link typical adolescent behavior to neural function through the proposal of various neural systems models. These models provide theoretical frameworks to connectivity analyses, which, in turn, can test and extend these models. Connectivity analyses permit to examine the flow of information both " between" and " within" neural structures, and address behavioral correlates. This perspective paper highlights the critical role of the investigation of large-scale and local neural networks for gaining a better understanding of functional neural systems. We present functional connectivity methods as promising tools to refine existing neural systems models of adolescent behavior. In particular, functional connectivity studies might help explain how these neural systems are integrated with one another. We use the Triadic Model of motivated behavior as framework, and review the few published developmental functional connectivity studies, including the various methods of connectivity analysis.