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Development of the triadic neural systems involved in risky decision-making during childhood

Risky decision-making increases from childhood, peaks in adolescence, and declines into adulthood. While neural underpinnings are known for adolescents and adults, how these systems work in children remains largely unknown.

Risky decision-makingchildhoodadolescenceTriadic Neural Systems ModelfMRIprefrontal cortexstriatumfunctional connectivitystriatumfunctional connectivityneurocognitive development

Using risk of crime detection to study change in mechanisms of decision making

Research indicates that the perceived risk of getting caught for a crime impacts whether someone commits that crime. However, there is less evidence that the perceived risk directly correlates with the actual objective risk of detection.

Perception of risk DeterrenceRational choiceDevelopmental Stability

Friendship changes differentially predict neural correlates of decision-making for friends across adolescence

Adolescence involves increased risk-taking for peers amid a changing social world. Friendship changes may impact adaptive risk-taking for friends and brain activity related to reward processing.

AdolescenceAmygdalaFriendshipsRisk takingFMRI

Racial discrimination and risk for internalizing and externalizing symptoms among Black youths

Racial discrimination impacts Black youth's mental health, increasing internalizing and externalizing symptoms. A youth's amygdala response to threats can moderate this association.

Racial DiscriminationAmygdalaBlack YouthInternalizing SymptomsExternalizing Symptoms

Associations between externalizing behavior problems and risky sexual behaviors in adolescence: Attachment as a mediator

Adolescence is a time of increased risk for health issues and new relationships. Some adolescents engage in risky sexual behaviors, like early sex or not using condoms, which can lead to health problems.

AdolescenceAttachmentBehavior problemsParentsPeers Risky sexual behaviors

The Life-Course of Juvenile Lifers: Understanding Maturation and Development as Miller and Its Progeny Guide Juvenile Life Sentence Release Decisions

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that most juveniles sentenced to life in prison can mature and change. These individuals should have a chance to show they have reformed and earn release.

Juvenile life without paroleprisoner maturationreentrylife sentencerehabilitationsecond look sentencing.

In the wake of Miller and Montgomery: A national view of people sentenced to juvenile life without parole

The U.S. has a high incarceration rate, driven by long sentences. Many people serving life sentences committed their crimes as juveniles. These sentences are often unnecessary for public safety and costly.

Juvenile liferssecond chance policiesmass incarcerationresentencingreentrylife-course criminology

Susceptibility to peer influence in adolescents: Associations between psychophysiology and behavior

Adolescents are more susceptible to peer influence, which can be direct, indirect, or continuing. This influence impacts both antisocial and prosocial behaviors. The study examines how these types of influence affect different behaviors.

AntisocialPeer influence ProsocialPsychophysiologySusceptibility

Naloxone precipitated withdrawal increases dopamine release in the dorsal striatum of opioid dependent men

This study found that opioid withdrawal increases dopamine in the dorsal striatum and decreases it in the ventral striatum, which is linked to withdrawal aversion.

Drive, instinct, reflex-Applications to treatment of anxiety, depressive and addictive disorders

Psychoanalysis has long confused "drive" and "instinct." This article defines drive as a motivated search for satisfaction, distinct from instinct, and identifies five core human motivations rooted in brain systems shared with animals.

SEEKING (enthusiasm) systemaddictionanxiety disordersdepressive disorderdrive (instinct)instinctneuropsychoanalysispleasure (principle)

P.G. v. Jefferson County

The court ruled jails must provide prescribed methadone to pretrial detainees, finding likely ADA and and due process violations. The case resulted in over $161K in attorney’s fees.

methadoneADApretrial detaineesjailsdue process violationmedication accesscourt ruling

Amicus Curiae Letter in Support of Petition for Review in Chelsea Becker v. Superior Court

The brief argues that California law does not permit murder charges against women for pregnancy loss. It states that such prosecutions harm women and children, deter essential healthcare, and lack medical support.

pregnancy lossstillbirthsubstance use during pregnancycriminal prosecutionprenatal caresubstance use disorder

Brief of Amici Curiae Center for Constitutional Rights, Transgender Law Center, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Make the Road New York et al. in Support of Respondents

The brief argues that punishing involuntarily homeless people for sleeping outside when no shelter is available is cruel and unusual punishment. It contends this criminalizes poverty and violates the Eighth Amendment.

Homelessnesscriminalization of povertyEighth Amendmentcruel and unusual punishmentaffordable housing crisispublic sleeping bans

State v. Anderson

The Washington Supreme Court affirmed a 61-year sentence for a 17-year-old's deadly robbery. The majority found the sentence did not violate the state constitution's cruel punishment ban, as the crime lacked youthful immaturity.

criminal justice systemracial biasyouthful offenderjuvenile life sentencecruel and unusual punishmentracial disparity in sentencingWashington State Constitution

Primer: Psychedelics

Psychedelics are chemicals categorized by structure. They are found in nature or made synthetically. These compounds alter perception, cognition, and mood, with effects varying by substance and dose.

PsychedelicsPsilocybinMDMASerotonin receptorsTherapeutic potentialNeurobiologySet and settingNeuroplasticityLSD