CNS 2022: Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, PhD, "Development of the social brain in adolescence"

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, PhD, of the University of Cambridge, delivers the keynote lecture at CNS 2022 in San Francisco in April 2022. Abstract: Adolescence is a critical period of development characterized by an increased need for peer interaction, heightened sensitivity to social exclusion and development of the social brain. Lockdown and social distancing measures intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have reduced the opportunity to engage in face-to-face social interaction with peers. The consequences of social distancing on human social brain and social cognitive development are unknown, but animal research has shown that social deprivation and isolation have unique effects on brain and behavior in adolescence compared with other stages of life. In this talk, I will describe research on social brain and behavioural development in adolescence and consider whether social distancing might be having a disproportionate effect during this sensitive period of development.