Events

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION

Multimodal studies which combine cognitive, clinical, neuroimaging and substance use assessments are critical to understanding the impact of substance use in emerging adults. These can be difficult, however, and a number of important yet confounding factors often cloud data collection. The goals of this one-
hour presentation are to: 1) review the importance of collecting accurate and comprehensive information; 2) acknowledge the most common confounding variables; and 3) provide strategies for improving data collection among this population. These will be presented in conjunction with data and methodologic examples from ongoing NIDA and other funded studies.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Define some of the difficulties associated with assessing substance use in adolescent and emerging adult populations. • Recognize the importance of a clear study design with well-articulated substance use assessment measures administered in a reliable, consistent, and comprehensive manner.
• Understand how to modify common tools for substance use assessment for a range of substances (i.e., TLFB).
• Identify a number of ways to improve the quality of data/information offered by adolescent/emerging adult research participants.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Everyone is welcome to attend!

About the Presenter

Dr. Staci Gruber., PhD
Dr. Staci Bruber is the Director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core at McLean Hospital’s Brain Imaging Center and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Gruber’s clinical and research focus is the application of neurocognitive models and multimodal brain imaging to better characterize neurobiological risk factors for substance abuse and psychopathology, particularly disruptions of the frontal network. In recent work, her lab has examined the etiologic bases of neural models of dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder as well as marijuana-
using adolescents and adults, the results of which have been published in numerous peer reviewed journals and been the basis of national and international symposia, documentaries and press conferences. Dr. Gruber has also been involved in the application of behavioral science to help shape policies regarding juvenile advocacy and defense; her lab’s work in adolescent development was part of the Amicus brief leading to the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roper vs. Simmons, which states that it is unconstitutional to execute minors. Her ongoing initiative to educate policymakers, judges, attorneys and the general public in the differences between adults and adolescents and the impact of marijuana on the brain has already had both local and national impact on policy formation. She also directs the newly launched MIND (Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery) Program, designed to clarify the effects of medical marijuana on brain structure, function, and quality of life.