Pastoral Care Update

The following information is a summary of an excellent professional reading I undertook recently from the University of Queensland titled The Brain. The focus of the reading was the development of the human brain across the life course, informed by the most contemporary research available. There was a wealth of important information, and I hope that as a parent or carer, you will find it useful and interesting. For educators and the Pastoral Care team, having this knowledge helps us to provide the best support for
the students in our care and select appropriate wellbeing interventions.  

Summary  

The development of brain structure and cognitive skills follows a hierarchical “bottom-up” sequence, where early brain development plays a vital role and can have long-lasting implications for psychiatric conditions. The construction of higher-level circuits relies on the foundation of lower-level circuits, creating complex neural networks. The brain is highly influenced by experiences, especially during early life, which significantly shapes an individual’s trajectory and long-term outcomes. As time progresses, the brain’s plasticity decreases, making it more challenging to induce changes later on. Therefore, addressing issues correctly early in life is biologically and economically efficient. Prevention and early intervention are strongly supported by scientific evidence, as more than 50 percent of adult mental health problems manifest before the age of 12. 

This understanding highlights the crucial importance of prevention and early intervention, emphasising the need for educators to play an active role. It serves as a valuable reminder of the challenges young people face in managing their behaviour and mental health. By creating supportive learning environments that cater to the specific needs of each developmental stage, educators can make a positive impact and remain motivated in the face of these challenges. Rather than being disheartened by alarming statistics, this knowledge empowers educators to contribute to the wellbeing of their students and promote positive outcomes. 

How the Brain is formed 

As the brain forms, there are significant biological changes, such as genetic and neuronal processes, that continue throughout the lifespan. There are key milestones in brain development as well as challenges that the brain may encounter, including infections, poor nourishment, and stress. Despite not fully understanding how these challenges precisely trigger psychiatric conditions like depression or schizophrenia, neuroscientists have developed theories, such as vulnerability models such as the diathesis-stress model, which highlights the interplay between genes and the environment in brain development and their role in the onset of these conditions. Psychologists have also emphasised the crucial role of protective factors in preventing such triggers. Our Pastoral Care team plays a key role in providing some of these protective factors to
support the optimal development and wellbeing of our students. 

The Maturing Brain: Sleep and Mental Health 

It is commonly known that our sleep needs decrease as we grow older. However, recent research has shed light on the primary factor behind this decrease: a reduction in the proportion of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. In newborns, REM sleep can account for up to 50 percent of their total sleep time, while in adults, it comprises only about ten percent. This variation is linked to the brain’s processing of new information, as newborns and young children are constantly exposed to novel and unprecedented events. Additionally, REM sleep is associated with increased dreaming, and therefore children tend to dream more frequently
than adults. 

Although the recommended amount of sleep remains unchanged, with guidelines suggesting ten to 11 hours of sleep per night for 11-year-olds, gradually reducing to approximately eight hours by the age of 25, it is important to understand the relationship between sleep patterns and mental health. 

Based on a survey of 9,000 individuals in the United States, it has been observed that the peak age of onset for mental illness is during early adolescence. While the exact biological reasons for this remain unknown, several common explanations have been proposed, including hormone production, synaptic remodelling, axon myelination, and changes in grey matter. Ongoing research is focused on investigating the process of neurotransmitter release during adolescence and its impact on the size and structure of neurons. This research aims to provide a deeper understanding of how these factors may contribute to the development of psychiatric conditions later in life. 

The Teenage Brain 

During adolescence, synaptic pruning plays a vital role in shaping the brain’s neural connections. This process reinforces and hardwires frequently used neural pathways, ensuring their efficiency. 

The brain consists of two primary types of tissue: grey matter and white matter. Grey matter comprises neuronal cell bodies, where the majority of information processing takes place. White matter, on the other hand, consists mostly of myelinated axons and serves as a pathway for signal transmission between different grey matter areas. 

In the past, biologists held the belief that the brain stopped growing and changing after a certain age. However, research conducted in the 1960s and 1970s challenged this notion, revealing that the brain is a dynamic organ that continuously evolves in response to the interplay between the environment and cognition. This ability of the brain to modify its neural structures to adapt is known as neuroplasticity. 

Neuroplasticity, the brain’s remarkable ability to change and reorganise itself, plays a pivotal role in shaping the developing brain. Neuroplasticity encompasses various processes that facilitate the brain’s adaptation to new experiences. Among these processes, two crucial mechanisms are dendritic branching and pruning. Dendritic branching, or dendritic arborisation, involves the growth and formation of new branches in neurons. This process increases the neural density and facilitates the establishment of new connections, enabling efficient information processing. 

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP), a process where synapses are strengthened, is closely tied to neuroplasticity. LTP suggests that repeated engagement in a specific task enhances synaptic connections, contributing to neuroplastic changes. Furthermore, LTP promotes dendritic branching, augmenting neural density and connectivity. 

Conversely, discontinued behaviour or a lack of synaptic potentiation may lead to neural pruning. Synaptic pruning is the elimination of excess neurons and synaptic connections, refining the brain’s neural circuitry. This process is particularly prominent during adolescence when the brain undergoes substantial restructuring. During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant changes in its structural composition. Teenagers experience a gradual loss of approximately one percent of grey matter each year until their mid-twenties. Simultaneously, the amount of white
matter, which consists of myelinated axons facilitating signal transmission, increases. However, this maturation process does not occur uniformly across all brain areas. 

Brain maturation follows a specific sequence, with motor and sensory areas maturing first, followed by areas involved in language and spatial orientation. Higher-order cognitive processes and executive functions, such as flexible thinking, reasoning, and self-control, develop later. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, responsible for planning, judgment, and decision-making, matures last. This delayed maturation of the prefrontal cortex partially explains the risky behaviour often observed in young people, along with their apparent lack of impulse control and emotional regulation. It also renders them more susceptible to stress and mental health problems. 

Psychiatric Conditions:
When the Brain Struggles to Cope 

In certain cases, exposure to toxins, pathogens, or other threats can disrupt brain development and contribute to the emergence of psychiatric conditions. Researchers propose that when the level of developmental threat surpasses a certain threshold, the developing brain’s adaptive mechanisms become overwhelmed, leading to the manifestation of psychiatric disorders. 

During prenatal development, if adaptation fails, it can result in childhood psychiatric conditions such as autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In adolescence, the use of drugs or exposure to highly stressful life events, including psychological trauma, can act as “second hits” that trigger illnesses that were successfully avoided during pregnancy. 

Another possibility is that early events remain masked by the brain’s adaptive capacity but lose their resilience over time. These complexities highlight the need for further research to comprehensively understand the interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors and their impact on brain development. 

Future Research 

Precisely coordinating the intricate processes involved in building a functioning brain during development remains an enigma. Investigating why genetic and environmental risk factors have varying effects on individuals’ developmental outcomes is crucial. Understanding why exposure to the same environmental risk leads to autism in some individuals but not in others requires further exploration. Additionally, determining the factors that affect resilience to adverse environments, such as prenatal maternal smoking, is essential. By addressing these questions, we can gain insights into protective mechanisms and inform interventions that promote positive developmental outcomes. 

Source: The Brain: University of Queensland Brain Institute, Issue 6, September 2022.  

This reading can be purchased here https://qbi.uq.edu.au/the-brain-magazine  

Mr D Champion
Acting Deputy Head Pastoral Care