With the emergence of non-invasive methods like magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI), there is growing evidence of maturational
changes in both neuro-anatomical structures and neural activation
patterns. Developmental changes have been shown to last until adolescence.
In study 1, we examined the impact of steroids on the developing brain and
found that amygdala and hippocampal as well as parietal volumes were associated
with circulating testosterone levels. In the studies 2 to 5 we adressed
differences in brain activation patterns of attention between children
and adults, where children were either normally developing children or
children with ADHD. We found differences in the developmental trajectories
in the fronto-striatal pathway between children with and without ADHD, as
well as an increase in brain connectivity in a fronto- parietal network with
adolescence. We conclude, that the puberty might have organizational effects
on the developing human brain, which manifests itself in both, brain
structure and function.