Youth criminal behavior is a major concern for society, as it brings substantial costs for the individual, their families, and the communities. Treatments that target impulsivity have strong potential to lead to reduced violence and aggression; however, it is still unclear whether these treatments are associated with lasting positive biological changes.
Our research group is using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to investigate how the brain may change after an intervention called Stop Now and Plan – Youth Justice (SNAP-YJ). This will help us to understand if these types of interventions will reduce criminal behavior and improve brain function in justice involved youths.
The study includes two sessions, 13 weeks apart, each lasting approximately four hours, consisting of:
- An interview (lasting approximately 30 minutes)
- Questionnaires and computer games (approximately 1.5 h)
- An MRI scan (1.5 h)
We are looking for healthy volunteers to be part of our comparison group. To be eligible, volunteers must meet the following criteria:
- Male
- 16 to 18 years old
- No medical or psychiatric problems
- Not claustrophobic
- No metal implants that could interfere with MRI
You will receive compensation for your time, including transportation to and from CAMH.
For more information about this research study, please contact:
Dr. Areti Smaragdi
(647) 236-7490
Areti.smaragdi@camh.ca