The Dual Effects of Testosterone on Emotion Control: Puberty vs. Adulthood

New research suggests that the effect of testosterone on brain regions involved in emotion regulation changes over time. During early adolescence, higher levels of testosterone facilitate emotional control, while in young adulthood, higher levels of testosterone impede emotional control. This age-dependent influence of testosterone on the developing brain highlights the complexity of its role. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to observe brain activity in participants aged 14, 17, and 20, and found that the effect of testosterone on the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) shifted from facilitation to inhibition as individuals transitioned from middle adolescence to young adulthood. These findings contribute to understanding brain-hormone functioning in both adolescents and young adults.