As adolescents develop, the researchers said, the changing motivational circuitry of their brain makes them vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and other addictive drugs.

For the research, lead author Dr. R. Andrew Chambers analyzed three factors of teen behavior and their relationship to brain functioning. They included attraction to novelty, less-than-adult levels of judgment, and an overriding interest in sex.

According to Chambers, the brain's complex motivational circuitry consists of chemical reactions that make certain experiences more enjoyable than others. At the center of this circuitry is the chemical dopamine, which has been linked to the addictive effects of drugs.

In a teenager's brain, Chambers said, the circuitry that releases chemicals associated with new experiences and the motivation to repeat them develops much faster than the brain mechanism that restrains urges and impulses.

"You have a situation where the motivational brain areas are particularly active," Chambers said, "and the part of the brain that is supposed to inhibit impulses is not working well, because it is sort of under construction."

As a result, Chambers said, teenagers are more likely to try drugs than other groups. Furthermore, experimenting with drugs during adolescence has more of an impact on the brain.

The research is published in the June 2003 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Chambers, R., Taylor, J., & Potenza, M. (2003) Developmental Neurocircuitry of Motivation in Adolescence: A Critical Period of Addiction Vulnerability. American Journal of Psychiatry, 160(6): 1041-1052.

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