What biological development during adolescence enhances thinking and processing skills?

The enhancement of thinking and processing skills during adolescence is primarily linked to the myelination of neurons. Myelination refers to the process by which a fatty layer, known as myelin, forms around the axons of neurons. This myelin sheath acts as an insulator, facilitating faster transmission of electrical signals between neurons. As myelination increases during adolescence, it improves the speed and efficiency of neural communication, which is crucial for complex cognitive functions such as reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving.

This period of development leads to significant improvements in the ability to process information, as the brain becomes more efficient at connecting different areas involved in higher-order thinking. The increased speed at which information travels between disparate regions of the brain supports the development of more sophisticated cognitive abilities.

In contrast, while neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons), synaptic pruning (the process of eliminating weaker synaptic connections while retaining stronger ones), and increased brain volume all play important roles in brain development, they do not directly account for the enhanced processing speed and efficiency seen during adolescence to the same extent as myelination. Neurogenesis is more relevant in earlier developmental stages, synaptic pruning generally refines existing connections, and increased brain volume may reflect overall growth rather