Developmental Differences in Novelty Reactivity in Adolescent and Adult Male and Female Rats

Abstract

Adolescence is a time of high-risk behavior and increased exploration. This developmental period is marked by a greater probability of initiating drug use and is associated with an increased risk to develop addiction and dependency in adulthood. Human adolescents are predisposed toward an increased likelihood of risk taking behaviors, including drug use or initiation. The purpose of the study was to examine differences in developmental risk-taking behaviors. Adolescent and adult animals were exposed to a novel stimulus in a familiar environment to assess impulsive behaviors, novelty preference and exploratory behaviors. Adolescent animals had greater novelty-induced locomotor activity, greater novelty preference, and showed higher approach and exploratory behaviors compared to preadolescent and adult animals. These data support the notion that adolescents may be predisposed toward sensation seeking and consequently are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviors, such as drug use initiation.