Research & Scholarship
The Law and Psychiatry Division is involved in advancing knowledge and practice in forensic psychiatry and psychology through research. Through federal, state, and university grants, investigations have explored the characteristics and aftercare of persons acquitted of criminal offenses by reason of insanity, the epidemiology of mental illness in prisons, characteristics of persons charged with sexual offenses, the nature of psychiatric risk and risk assessment, the accuracy of eyewitness accounts, the effects of jail diversion initiatives on criminal recidivism, and many other topics. These research projects have resulted in changes in practice, policy development, and further investigations.
Faculty and trainees in the Law & Psychiatry Division publish peer-reviewed articles, books, book chapters, practice guidelines, and other reports regularly.
Recent Publications
2025
- Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Greater neuroimmune system deficit in women than men with alcohol use disorder
Zakiniaeiz Y, Hillmer A, Shi H, Pittman B, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Bonomi R, Matuskey D, Angarita G, McKee S, Cosgrove K. Greater neuroimmune system deficit in women than men with alcohol use disorder. Biological Psychiatry 2025 PMID: 40412787, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.05.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsTranslocator protein availabilityAlcohol-induced neurodegenerationExecutive function tasksConsequences of alcohol useAlcohol use disorderBrain imaging scansTranslocator protein levelsSex-matched controlsExecutive functionLower hippocampalTSPO availabilityFrontal cortexTranslocator proteinUse disorderNeurocognitive functionBrain regionsSex differencesAlcohol useBrain-resident immune cellsNeuroimmune mechanismsFunctional tasksSystem deficitsAUDImaging scansNeuroimmune cellsIs It Time to Update Clinical Care Guidelines to Address Sex and Gender Differences in Smoking Cessation Medication Efficacy?
McKee S. Is It Time to Update Clinical Care Guidelines to Address Sex and Gender Differences in Smoking Cessation Medication Efficacy? Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2025, ntaf107. PMID: 40378250, DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntaf107.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricPreclinical and clinical sex differences in the effects of alcohol on measures of brain dopamine: a systematic review
Barrios N, Riordan W, Garcia-Rivas V, Peltier M, Roberts W, Verplaetse T, Kohler R, Zhou H, Banini B, McKee S, Cosgrove K, Zakiniaeiz Y. Preclinical and clinical sex differences in the effects of alcohol on measures of brain dopamine: a systematic review. Biology Of Sex Differences 2025, 16: 24. PMID: 40200334, DOI: 10.1186/s13293-025-00706-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAlcohol use disorderAlcohol-induced dopamine releaseEffects of alcoholSex differencesAlcohol exposureDopamine measurementsMu-opioid receptorsDopamine releaseEffects of sexProgression of alcohol use disorderDopamine D1 receptor availabilityAlcohol use disorder developmentEffects of prenatal alcohol exposureD1 receptor availabilityStriatal dopamine concentrationsAir-exposed controlsAlcohol-exposed animalsMu-opioid receptor activationPrenatal alcohol exposureDuration of alcohol exposureVentral striatumBrain dopamineReward processingNeurobiological mechanismsReceptor availabilityResearch assistant perspectives on strategies to reduce the likelihood of experiencing vicarious trauma
Paruk J, Rhode S, Molocznik A, Christy A, Knoepke C, Kapoor R, Frattaroli S, Zeoli A. Research assistant perspectives on strategies to reduce the likelihood of experiencing vicarious trauma. Journal Of Gender-Based Violence 2025, 1-13. DOI: 10.1332/23986808y2025d000000078.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricOnce-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder
Hendershot C, Bremmer M, Paladino M, Kostantinis G, Gilmore T, Sullivan N, Tow A, Dermody S, Prince M, Jordan R, McKee S, Fletcher P, Claus E, Klein K. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry 2025, 82: 395-405. PMID: 39937469, PMCID: PMC11822619, DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsAlcohol use disorderUse disorderPeak breath alcohol concentrationMedium to large effect sizesNon-treatment-seeking participantsWeeks of outpatient treatmentAlcohol self-administrationSelf-administration taskReduce alcohol intakeOnce-weekly subcutaneous semaglutideLarge effect sizesAlcohol consumptionSubsample of individualsBreath alcohol concentrationEffects of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutideTreatment-by-time interactionOnce-weekly semaglutideAlcohol cravingReduce cravingSelf-administrationDrinking outcomesSemaglutide treatmentDrinking daysReduce drinkingAmount of alcoholMy Patients are Veterans. Their Lives Depend on Nonproductive Work.
Danzig, A. My Patients are Veterans. Their Lives Depend on Nonproductive Work. Boston Globe Magazine. March 2025.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersApplying AAPL Ethics and Mission in Forensic Treatment.
Dike C. Applying AAPL Ethics and Mission in Forensic Treatment. The Journal Of The American Academy Of Psychiatry And The Law 2025, 53: 11-18. PMID: 39933796, DOI: 10.29158/jaapl.250001-25.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPsychiatric hospitalPatient abuseAmerican Academy of PsychiatryTreatment of forensic patientsForensic psychiatric hospitalPatient rights movementPhysician-patient relationshipForensic treatmentForensic patientsRights movementPsychiatric writingsDistortion of realityAAPLSocial moresAbuseEnhance treatment of patientsEnhanced treatmentVulnerability of patientsPsychiatristsPsychiatryCrimeEvalueesIncreased visibilityHealth care professionalsLawState Policy Variation in Implementation of Federal Drug and Child Abuse Laws and Stigmatization of Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder
Peltier M, Pegram D, Chander G, Weisner C, McKee S, Jones H, Chang G. State Policy Variation in Implementation of Federal Drug and Child Abuse Laws and Stigmatization of Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder. Journal Of Women's Health 2025, 34: 613-621. PMID: 39932704, PMCID: PMC12136142, DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2024.0638.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderChild abuse lawsChild abuse preventionRemoval of childrenAbuse lawsLegal actionCurrent legislationSubstance-exposed infantsComprehensive AddictionPunitive actionsIndividual statesRisk of overdoseAbuse preventionLegislationLife-saving medicationsLawState policyChild welfare workersSubstance useMandated trainingUse disorderMOUDIndividuals of colorPolicy variationReporting System
2024
US mortality trends from alcohol‐associated hepatitis by sex, age, race, and ethnicity, 1999–2020
Banini B, Chauhan S, Amatya A, Dashti F, Zahrawi K, Zahrawi F, Mehal W, McKee S. US mortality trends from alcohol‐associated hepatitis by sex, age, race, and ethnicity, 1999–2020. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2024, 49: 358-367. PMID: 39739407, DOI: 10.1111/acer.15515.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsAmerican Indians/Alaska NativesMortality rate ratiosIndians/Alaska NativesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online DataUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ONline DataWide-ranging Online DataMortality rateUS mortality trendsAlcohol-associated hepatitisJoinpoint regression analysisYoung adultsCross-sectional studyAlcohol-associated liver diseaseYoung adult femalesHigh-risk populationOnline DataMortality trendsSteepest increaseUnited StatesYear compared to baselineCalendar trendsSociodemographic factorsRacial/ethnic groupsEpidemiological researchRate ratiosAlcohol use and cannabis craving in daily life: Sex differences and associations among young adults
Davis C, Ramer N, Squeglia L, Gex K, McRae‐Clark A, McKee S, Roberts W, Gray K, Baker N, Tomko R. Alcohol use and cannabis craving in daily life: Sex differences and associations among young adults. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2024, 48: 2331-2340. PMID: 39579151, PMCID: PMC11629456, DOI: 10.1111/acer.15461.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsCannabis cravingAlcohol useMomentary levelWeeks of ecological momentary assessmentYoung adultsEcological momentary assessmentCo-used substancesFemale participantsPatterns of substance useMale participantsLevels of alcohol consumptionConditioned cuesMomentary assessmentAlcohol quantityCravingNaturalistic conditionsCannabisSubstance useSex differencesCo-useAlcohol consumptionNegative associationAlcoholParticipantsFrequent pairsGender differences in alcohol use disorder trends from 2009–2019: An intersectional analysis
Verplaetse T, Carretta R, Struble C, Pittman B, Roberts W, Zakiniaeiz Y, Peltier M, McKee S. Gender differences in alcohol use disorder trends from 2009–2019: An intersectional analysis. Alcohol 2024, 123: 101-107. PMID: 39579801, PMCID: PMC11871986, DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.11.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsRates of alcohol use disordersAlcohol use disorderMarital statusRates of alcohol useDrug Use and Health (NSDUHNational Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHGender differencesIntersectional lensIntersectional analysisEffects of sociodemographic variablesDisorder trendsHousehold incomeNational surveyEmployment statusSociodemographic variablesAlcohol useEducation levelHeightened riskGenderLogistic regressionDemographic characteristicsEmploymentIncomeUrbanizationAdult menA multi-state evaluation of extreme risk protection orders: a research protocol
Zeoli A, Molocznik A, Paruk J, Omaki E, Frattaroli S, Betz M, Christy A, Kapoor R, Knoepke C, Ma W, Norko M, Pear V, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Schleimer J, Swanson J, Wintemute G. A multi-state evaluation of extreme risk protection orders: a research protocol. Injury Epidemiology 2024, 11: 49. PMID: 39252094, PMCID: PMC11382528, DOI: 10.1186/s40621-024-00535-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsRisk protection ordersProtection ordersFirearm violenceCivil court ordersPrevent firearm violencePrevent firearm-related injuriesPublic records requestsFirearm-related injuriesDistrict of ColumbiaCourt outcomesCourt orderFirearm purchasesERPOCase filesRecords requestsSecondary traumaViolenceResearch assistantsResearch protocolCourtStateAssistanceFirearmLearning management systemPetitionSuicide Prevention Effects of Extreme Risk Protection Order Laws in Four States.
Swanson J, Zeoli A, Frattaroli S, Betz M, Easter M, Kapoor R, Knoepke C, Norko M, Pear V, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Schleimer J, Wintemute G. Suicide Prevention Effects of Extreme Risk Protection Order Laws in Four States. The Journal Of The American Academy Of Psychiatry And The Law 2024, 52: 327-337. PMID: 39164044, DOI: 10.29158/jaapl.240056-24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsExtreme risk protection ordersERPO lawsCivil court processRisk protection ordersSelf-inflicted firearm injuriesDistrict of ColumbiaCourt processProtection ordersGun ownersFirearm injuriesSuicidal concernsLawSuicide decedentsSuicideSuicide methodsAttempted suicideImminent riskUnited StatesSuicide deathsGunSuicide attemptsNonfatal suicide attemptsPrevention toolSelf-injuryFirearmReply to Barbara Schildkraut, MD
Phillips J, Norko M. Reply to Barbara Schildkraut, MD. The Journal Of Nervous And Mental Disease 2024, 212: 455-455. PMID: 39079001, DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001733.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsM81 Examining the Relationship of Concurrent Obesity and Tobacco Use Disorder on the Development of Substance Use Disorders and Psychiatric Conditions: Findings From the NESARC-III
Fields L, Roberts W, Schwing I, McCoy M, McKee S. M81 Examining the Relationship of Concurrent Obesity and Tobacco Use Disorder on the Development of Substance Use Disorders and Psychiatric Conditions: Findings From the NESARC-III. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110361. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110361.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchExtreme Risk Protection Orders in Connecticut, 2013-2020.
Kapoor R, Viereck B, Lin H, Swanson J, Easter M, Baranoski M, Zeoli A, Frattaroli S, Norko M. Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Connecticut, 2013-2020. The Journal Of The American Academy Of Psychiatry And The Law 2024, 52: 165-175. PMID: 38824428, DOI: 10.29158/jaapl.240022-24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsExtreme risk protection ordersRisk protection ordersProtection ordersRemoval of firearmsPrevalence of mental illnessTwenty-one statesDistrict of ColumbiaLegal outcomesLaw implementationInterpersonal violenceSelf-harmMental illnessLawFirearmResponse to concernsTemporary removalImminent riskConnecticutStatutesSignificant gender differencesViolenceAlcohol useGender differencesOrderStateThe Causes and Consequences of Stigma Among Individuals Involved in the Criminal Legal System: A Systematic Review
Moore K, Phillips S, Kromash R, Siebert S, Roberts W, Peltier M, Smith M, Verplaetse T, Marotta P, Burke C, Allison G, McKee S. The Causes and Consequences of Stigma Among Individuals Involved in the Criminal Legal System: A Systematic Review. Stigma And Health 2024, 9: 224-235. PMID: 39381322, PMCID: PMC11456775, DOI: 10.1037/sah0000483.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsDesign and implementation of community consultation for research conducted under exception from informed consent regulations for the PreVent and the PreVent 2 trials: Changes over time and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Gugel T, Adams K, Baranoski M, Yanez N, Kampp M, Johnson T, Aydin A, Fajardo E, Sharp E, Potnis A, Johnson C, Treggiari M. Design and implementation of community consultation for research conducted under exception from informed consent regulations for the PreVent and the PreVent 2 trials: Changes over time and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical Trials 2024, 21: 671-680. PMID: 38676438, PMCID: PMC11512686, DOI: 10.1177/17407745241243045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPublic disclosure activitiesCommunity consultationInstitutional review boardConsent regulationsIn-personEmergency researchRegulatory measuresCOVID-19 pandemicPublic disclosureSponsor-investigatorsPublic supportPrevention experimentsCommunity leadersIn-person eventsYear of implementationFood and Drug AdministrationHigher education levelCommunity concernsReview boardSelection biasProportion of respondentsMethod of contactClinical researchLocal communitiesCOVID-19From Social Isolation to Social Justice: The Neuroscience of Solitary Confinement
Danzig A, Novick A, Chang W, Ross D. From Social Isolation to Social Justice: The Neuroscience of Solitary Confinement. Biological Psychiatry 2024, 95: e13-e15. PMID: 38479978, PMCID: PMC11247959, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.01.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricSuicide Risk Assessment
Danzig A, Wortzel H. Suicide Risk Assessment. 2024, 155-176. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-52589-6_13.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSuicide risk assessmentPsychiatric assessmentIndividualized safety plansSuicidal crisisTherapeutic relationshipPsychiatric competenceSafety planningRisk assessmentLethal meansStructured instrumentClinical risk assessmentSuicideInformation treatmentMitigate riskAssessmentStandard of careTreatment of patientsStratify riskCliniciansPatient-centeredCompetenceSeverityMedicolegal reasonsTreatmentPatientsVoluntary and Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization
Nakic M. Voluntary and Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization. 2024, 61-73. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-52589-6_6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImaging a putative marker of brain cortisol regulation in alcohol use disorder
Verplaetse T, Hillmer A, Bhatt S, Rusowicz A, Li S, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Huang Y, McKee S, Cosgrove K. Imaging a putative marker of brain cortisol regulation in alcohol use disorder. Neurobiology Of Stress 2024, 29: 100609. PMID: 38304303, PMCID: PMC10832501, DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100609.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsAlcohol use disorderAnterior cingulate cortexDrinking days/weekModerate to severe alcohol use disorderHealthy controlsHypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axisSevere alcohol use disorderPositron emission tomographyHPA axis dysfunctionHPA axis functionRelease of glucocorticoid hormonesAlcohol consumptionAssociated with drinkingVentromedial PFCCingulate cortexHigh-resolution research tomographHPA activityUse disorderDrinking episodesCortisol regulationAxis functionVmPFCPeripheral cortisolBrain availabilityDisordered backgroundThe criminal justice system in alcohol use treatment: a nationwide analysis of racial disparities in treatment referral and completion
Stenersen M, Peltier M, McKee S. The criminal justice system in alcohol use treatment: a nationwide analysis of racial disparities in treatment referral and completion. Alcohol And Alcoholism 2024, 59: agad092. PMID: 38266072, PMCID: PMC10807701, DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCJ systemCriminal justiceCriminal justice systemReferral to alcohol treatmentAnalysis of racial disparitiesInfluence of raceJustice systemTreatment completionNative peopleTreatment Episode Dataset-DischargeImpact of raceCommunities of colorTreatment referralAlcohol treatmentAlcohol use treatmentSubstance useRacial inequalityRacial disparitiesScholarly literatureUse treatmentAmerican Indian/Alaska Native peopleUnited StatesSeries of ANOVAsAlcohol useRaceIntegrating mental health into primary care in Nigeria: Implementation outcomes and clinical impact of the HAPPINESS intervention
Iheanacho T, Chu C, Aguocha C, Nwefoh E, Dike C. Integrating mental health into primary care in Nigeria: Implementation outcomes and clinical impact of the HAPPINESS intervention. Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health 2024, 11: e9. PMID: 38390244, PMCID: PMC10882178, DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsPost-interventionMental healthScale-up mental health servicesPatient Health Questionnaire scoresPrimary health care centersEffect sizeMental health servicesHealth care centersTechnology-supported interventionsStatistically significant reductionQuasi-experimental designPrimary careIntervention implementationImplementation outcomesHealth servicesHealth actionsCommunity-basedBrief Psychiatric Rating Scale scoresQuestionnaire scoresSignificant reductionPsychiatric Rating Scale scoresCare centerPsychiatric problemsHappiness interventionsHealth