NEUROBEHAVIORAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PUBERTY - ANOTHER TRANSFORMATION

In a follow-up study of the Groningen Perinatal Project (GPP) on minor neurological dysfunction (MND) at 12 and 14 years the onset of puberty appeared to play a role. The children were selected on the presence (n = 185) and absence (n = 185) of MND at 9 years. Puberty was defined by the presence of three or more physical puberty signs. With the onset of puberty the incidence of MND decreased. The neurobehavioural relationships became more explicit after the onset of puberty. All types of MND were related to behavioural and cognitive problems at this developmental stage. In normal children, boys showed an increase of strength during puberty whereas the movements of girls became more fluent. The apparent changes in neurological function during puberty were interpreted as a transformation of the central nervous system. The possible causes are discussed. The conclusion is that gonadal hormones and especially oestrogens, play a role. The fact that two-thirds of the children with MND and behavioural problems outgrow the problems during puberty, can be of great help. Finally, any longitudinal study of brain function, which includes the age of puberty, should pay attention to the pubescent stage