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State v. Schueller
New therapies for PTSD may justify reconsidering a veteran's sentence. The court found that new scientific understanding can undermine previous sentencing assumptions about the condition.
Brief of Safe Living Space and Dr. Edie Zusman, MD, FAANS, as Amici Curiae in Support of the Petitioner
The brief argues for clarifying the "ongoing emergency" rule for 911 calls in domestic violence cases, especially when victims have head injuries. It seeks guidance on when victim statements are considered evidence for trial.
Brief of Center for Law, Brain and Behavior as Amicus Curiae in Support of Appellees-Plaintiffs Joao Neves, Keith Nunes, Pablo Ortega, and Mario Monteiro
This brief argues that Mario's Law should apply to all youth under 22 who have served 20 years, citing scientific evidence that adolescent brains continue to develop, making reliable predictions of future dangerousness impossible.
From Social Isolation to Social Justice: The Neuroscience of Solitary Confinement
Sensory and social deprivation, like that experienced in solitary confinement, significantly harms mental health. Research shows this can induce psychotic symptoms and alter brain function, underscoring the severe impact of isolation.
Smaller total and subregional cerebellar volumes in posttraumatic stress disorder: a mega-analysis by the ENIGMA-PGC PTSD workgroup
Trauma survivors with PTSD often have smaller volumes in certain brain regions, including the cerebellum. This smaller cerebellar volume may contribute to PTSD symptoms by disrupting stress responses and emotional processing.
Neurobiology and Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Most people who experience trauma do not develop PTSD. While symptoms often lessen over time, about one-third of those initially diagnosed with PTSD will experience chronic symptoms.
The Outcomes of Trauma-Informed Practice in Youth Justice: An Umbrella Review
Youth justice services are exploring trauma-informed practices to improve outcomes for young people and enhance community safety. This approach aims to reduce harm and re-traumatization by addressing past maltreatment and adversity.
Sensory Alterations in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This article reviews how altered sensory processing is linked to PTSD symptoms and discusses structural and functional brain differences associated with the disorder. It highlights recent findings and therapies based on this understanding.
Genome-Wide Association Analyses Identify 95 Risk Loci and Provide Insights Into the Neurobiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a complex condition with genetic links. Recent research identifies 81 genetic risk locations, highlighting the need for larger studies across diverse populations to improve understanding and treatment.
Brief of Amici Curiae Committee for Public Counsel Services, Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
The brief argues that new scientific understanding of eyewitness memory is evidence warranting a review of past convictions. It explains how mistaken eyewitness testimony can unfairly influence a jury's view of other evidence.
Brief of Amici Curiae The Innocence Project & the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law in Support of Defendant-Appellant
This brief argues that eyewitness memory is unreliable and can be changed by repeated questioning. It claims the trial court improperly allowed an in-court identification after the witness failed to identify the defendant earlier.
Brief of Amicus Curiae The Innocence Project, Inc. in Support of Defendant-Appellant
This brief argues that expert testimony on eyewitness identification is crucial for jurors. It contends that excluding such experts, based on other evidence, increases wrongful convictions by preventing fully informed judgments.
Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner
The brief argues Oklahoma's highest criminal court wrongly upheld a death sentence despite the State admitting error and prosecutorial misconduct. It claims the court ignored precedent and new evidence.
Commonwealth v. Gaines
The court ordered a new trial due to new scientific understanding of eyewitness memory and previously hidden evidence. This information suggests the original conviction may have been flawed.
People v. Vaughn
The court held that trial judges have discretion over expert testimony on eyewitness identification. It affirmed limiting the expert's testimony to only the cross-race effect due to an untimely defense request.