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Aggression and irritability peculiar to some teenagers, is connected to features of limbic system structure of a brain, which participates in regulation of emotions.

In the research, conducted by experts from the University of Melbourne, participated 137 boys and girls in the age of from 11 till 14 years. Teenagers and their parents were offered to discuss such painful themes for them, as time of going to bed, restrictions of access to the Internet and housework. Behavior of participants, in particular such parameters as aggression and anxiety, were estimated with the help of a special scale. Then teenagers were MRI-scanned and experts estimated state of limbic system structures.

It was found out, that aggressive teenagers of both sexes had double increase of amygdaloid body, responsible for impulsiveness.

In scientists’ opinion, inability of teenagers to control their emotions and behavior can be explained by immaturity of corresponding brain structures. They fully develop only by 20 years, informed head of the research Nicholas Allen.