brain research and developmental issues for adolescents in juvenile drug court

Developmental Issues 1

BRAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES FOR ADOLESCENTS IN JUVENILE DRUG COURT

Joe Lunievicz, BA RYT, Director TI at NDRIwww.ndri.org

Developmental Issues

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“No matter how articulate the practitioner may be, the words may not be comprehended if the speaker lacks understanding of the effects of drug use on adolescent cognitive development and the individual’s ability to comprehend the court proceedings in which he/she is involved, to comply with court orders and conditions of release, and most important, to be motivated to change his/her behavior over the long term.”

Cooper, Adolescent Drug Users, 2008

Adolescent Brain Development


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What the Research tells us based on MRI research begun in the 1990s Adolescent Brains are under construction Development continues through the mid

twenties.

A. Rae Simpson, The MIT Young Adult Development Project

Mentor Foundation, University of Minnesota

What We’ll Cover:


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Developmental changes Brain changes Influences on Development


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“Adolescence is the period of physical and psychological development from the onset of puberty to maturity.”

American Heritage Dictionary

Developmental Stages of Adolescence


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Early (12-14)

Middle (15-17)

Late (18-25)

Major Developmental Shifts


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Adolescence (Early and Middle teens)

Young Adulthood (Late teens and early twenties)

Later Adulthood (Mid-twenties and after)


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Key Factor Adolescence is a period of profound

brain maturation. Old belief that development was

completed by adolescence… Development finishes around 25-6.

Adolescence


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Abstract Thinking Increased intensity of emotion Increased sensation-seeking Sensitivity to alcohol & other drugs Changes in sleep cycle

Limitations


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Right & wrong thinking Instrumental focus Emotional regulation


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16-17 years old More likely than adults to be

Impulsive Aggressive Emotionally volatile Likely to take risks Reactive to stress Vulnerable to peer pressure

Young Adulthood


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Greater complexity of thinking Critical thinking More integration of cognitive & emotional Relationships based on shared values,

mutuality Respect for diversity Modified risk taking Decision based on future consequences &

impact on others

Limitations


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Abstract principles Following vs. shaping rules and roles External vs. internal basis for decisions

Later Adulthood


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Greater complexity of thinking Shaping vs. following rules and roles Solving ill-structured problems Big picture thinking Self-correction, self-evaluation Internalized commitment of relationships

and work Evaluation of external expectations


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Source: Tapert & Schweinsburg, 2005

Developmental Issues16

Brain Changes

Adolescence Young Adulthood Later Adulthood

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Brain changes in Adolescents

Prefontal Cortex Myelination: adding

white matter Synaptic Pruning:

decreasing number of connections

Connections among regions

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Executive Suite

Calibration of risk & reward

Problem-solving Prioritizing Thinking ahead Self-evaluation Long-term planning Regulation of

emotions

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Caveats


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Not automatic Roles for both nature and nurture Periods of equilibrium Intermediate steps Uneven across areas

Developmental Range


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Optimal spurts Functional gradual

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Nature vs. Nurture


Developmental stage and vulnerability to environmental influences

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Influences on Level of Functioning


Emotional arousal: cold cognition vs. hot cognition

Alert vs. Sleepy Familiarity of context Familiarity of content Practice Support

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Individual & cultural Variation


Age, education, gender Abuse, neglect, trauma Race, ethnicity, sexual identity Temperament Family background, parenting style Illness Learning disabilities Substance abuse Ares of concentrated interest Cultural background


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Implications of Arrested Development

Preference for physical activity over activities that require complex thinking.

Less than optimal planning and judgment

More risky, impulsive behaviours Minimal consideration of negative

consequences


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Drugs and the Brain Impact on the brain’s reward circuit

(limbic system) Pleasure = release dopamine Drugs hijack the system and release

more over a longer period of time.


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Alcohol Adolescents with a history of alcohol use disorder

may show deficits in short-term memory 10% less memory on short term verbal and non-

verbal tasks Hippocampus encodes new information into

memory Adolescents with history of alcohol abuse have

smaller hippocampus volume Most vulnerable parts of the brain associated

with memory, attention, sleep, coordination and judgment.


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Marijuana and THC Hippocampus, cerebellum, basal ganglia,

cerebralcortex Interferes with learning and memory Impacts on ability to study, learn new

things, recalling recent events (short term memory)

Long term impact inability to do complex tasks Increased risk of psychosis Increased of depression and anxiety

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Positives Influences


Challenging Old thinking Faculty and other adult interactions Diversity of peers Interdisciiplinary and intebratiove

apporaches Out of classroom experience Instruction in cognitive skills, eg critical

thinking

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Positive Influences


Providing support for growth Matching level of challenge with ability Scaffolding, balance of structure and

flexibility Safety net, monitoring Tincture of time

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Three Tiers of Influence


Support optimal functioning Foster growth toward next steps Set the stage for ongoing development

brain research and developmental issues for adolescents in juvenile drug court

Documents

drug courts brain research

adolescent drug users

psychological development

effects of drug use

mid twenties

mri research

court proceedings

court orders