Post on 26-Feb-2016
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BRAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES FOR ADOLESCENTS IN JUVENILE DRUG COURT
Joe Lunievicz, BA RYT, Director TI at NDRIwww.ndri.org
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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
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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
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Developmental stage and vulnerability to environmental influences
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Influences on Level of Functioning
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Support optimal functioning Foster growth toward next steps Set the stage for ongoing development