Teenage Mood Swing Hormone Found

Scientists claim to have identified the specific 'mood swing' hormone that makes adolescents so volatile.

A team from the State University of New York has identified a hormone that in adults and pre-pubescent children acts to calm anxiety. The researchers have found that in teenagers, the effect is reversed. A study published in Nature Neuroscience, says that it may be possible to "reverse the puberty effect" and that the study will help parents and teachers understand teenagers. Like that is a real, tangible possibility! A hormone called THP is released by the brain in response to stressful situations. The hormone acts like a tranquillizer to help a person cope with stress. However, a study of mice shows that THP actually increases anxiety during puberty. They found that the target for the hormone, a specific receptor, is more prevalent in the part of the brain which regulates emotion during puberty. This appears to reverse the normal calming effect.

Dr Sheryl Smith, who led the study says it is so far unclear why this happens, but she suggests it is because of the action of all the other hormones which come into play at puberty. Dr Smith and her team were able to genetically alter the receptor to reverse the puberty effect. The study reported that it may be possible to block the effect of the hormone but the scientist say that more research is needed. "This research has revealed that there is a biological basis for a teenager's mood swings. They can be frustrating for parents and teachers - as well as the adolescents. As adults, we just deal with things, but it is harder for teenagers because of their biology. I think it's important for people to know that."