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Study: Early Substance Use Alters Adolescent Brain Structure

1/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study involving nearly 10,000 adolescents reveals that those who began using substances before age 15 exhibit notable differences in brain structure. These variations may signal potential risk factors shaped by genetics and environment. However, researchers caution that brain structure alone can't predict substance use, highlighting the need for further exploration into these complex connections.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study involving nearly 10,000 adolescents reveals that those who began using substances before age 15 exhibit notable differences in brain structure. These variations may signal potential risk factors shaped by genetics and environment. However, researchers caution that brain structure alone can't predict substance use, highlighting the need for further exploration into these complex connections.