MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior

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MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior

The MGH Center for Law, Brain, and Behavior works to transform law and criminal justice through the use of accurate, actionable neuroscience.

The mission of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Law, Brain & Behavior (CLBB) is to transform law and criminal justice through the use of accurate, actionable neuroscience. Brain science in the 21st century debunks pervasive myths about mental states that have kept American Law anchored in 18th century science and injustices. Criminal law is all about mental states and all too often re

lies on antiquated concepts of the human mind that perpetuate unjust, unsupported and racially biased practices regarding crime and punishment. Advances in neuroscience—the study of the brain and central nervous system—offer an unprecedented world of opportunity to reset these assumptions. CLBB trains lawyers, judges and court officers who directly shape how the system works. Its faculty write and disseminate briefs and white papers, and give testimony and consult with lawyers and judges in criminal defense cases. We also forge partnerships to mount bold demonstration projects, for example, a sentencing diversion program for youth or the development of protocols for capacity determinations with investment fiduciaries.

06/18/2026

Access to addiction treatment in correctional settings carries major legal, ethical, and public health implications.

The Addiction & the Law module explores the intersection of neuroscience, disability law, addiction medicine, and corrections, providing practical resources for legal professionals and the public alike. It is available free of charge at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/addiction-and-the-law.

06/16/2026

Substance use disorders are deeply intertwined with the criminal legal system, yet access to evidence-based treatment remains inconsistent.

The Addiction & the Law module explores the neuroscience of addiction and the legal and policy issues surrounding incarceration, treatment, and recovery. Available free of charge, the module provides evidence-based resources for legal professionals, mental health practitioners, educators, and others seeking to better understand the intersection of addiction and the law: https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/addiction-and-the-law.

06/11/2026

The new Addiction & the Law module within the CLBB NeuroLaw Library includes a free, 10-lesson educational video course exploring critical intersections between addiction and the American legal system. Emphasizing evidence-based approaches to recovery and reducing harmful substance use, this comprehensive course aims to equip legal professionals, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone involved in the legal system with the knowledge and skills needed to best serve people with substance use disorders.

Explore "Understanding Addiction and the Legal System," along with a database of more than 600 curated scientific articles and cases and practical toolkits pertaining to addiction and recovery, for free at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/addiction-and-the-law.

06/08/2026

Medication-assisted treatment saves lives.

Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are evidence-based treatments that reduce overdose risk and support recovery for opioid use disorder.

The Addiction & the Law module provides accessible neuroscience and legal resources for attorneys, courts, policy makers, clinicians, and individuals impacted by addiction. It is available for free at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/addiction-and-the-law.

06/04/2026

Addiction affects multiple brain systems involved in reward, stress, and executive functioning—changes that can impact behavior, decision-making, emotional regulation, and recovery.

The new Addiction & the Law module from the CLBB NeuroLaw Library helps attorneys, judges, policy makers, clinicians, individuals with substance use disorders, and the broader public better understand the neuroscience of addiction. It is available for free at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/addiction-and-the-law.

06/03/2026

On May 31st, 2026, CLBB Founding Co-Director Judith Edersheim, MD, JD, delivered a lecture titled “Dementia & the Law: Clinical Pearls on Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence” as part of Dementia: A Comprehensive Update, a three-day Continuing Education course presented by Harvard Medical School. Her presentation focused on the intersection of cognitive decline, testamentary capacity, and undue influence, providing senior neurologists and psychiatrists with practical guidance for recognizing signs of elder financial exploitation in individuals experiencing cognitive impairment.

06/02/2026

On May 27th, 2026, CLBB Executive Director Robert Kinscherff, PhD, JD, and Equal Justice Works Fellow Rohan Kandashwarath, JD, participated in the Implantable Brain-Computer Interfaces Collaborative Community (iBCI-CC) NJAM Expert Workshop on Neural Data Privacy Under HIPAA in Washington, D.C., which convened experts from industry, government, and research to address emerging regulatory questions raised by implantable brain-computer interfaces and the governance of neural data under existing privacy frameworks.

06/01/2026

Introducing the new Addiction & the Law module within the MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior (CLBB) NeuroLaw Library.

Addiction is deeply intertwined with the American legal system, yet treatment access remains limited, and many legal frameworks continue to reflect outdated assumptions about substance use disorders.

The Addiction & the Law module translates current neuroscience into accessible, plain language to help judges, attorneys, policymakers, clinicians, educators, and the public better understand addiction, recovery, treatment, incarceration, and disability rights through an evidence-based lens.

Explore a curated database of more than 600 scientific articles and legal cases, concise educational videos from subject matter experts, and practical toolkits designed to support informed decision-making grounded in the science of addiction and recovery rather than stigma. The module is available free of charge at https://clbbneurolawlibrary.com/addiction-and-the-law.

05/27/2026

This month, CLBB NeuroLaw Library Director Stephanie Tabashneck, PsyD, JD, and CLBB Senior Research Associate Andrew Charroux hosted an exhibitor booth for the CLBB NeuroLaw Library at the 2026 ABA/National Legal Aid & Defender Association Equal Justice Conference in Charlotte, NC. This annual gathering brought together hundreds of legal services and pro bono advocates to discuss innovations in providing accessible legal services. CLBB formed several partnerships at the conference, which will expand access to actionable neuroscience to advance fairer and more effective outcomes in the legal system.

05/14/2026

Today, Thursday, May 14th, 2026, CLBB NeuroLaw Library Director Stephanie Tabashneck, PsyD, JD, spoke at the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Department Spring Conference alongside Hon. Geoffrey R. German, Hon. Kathleen Sandman, and Hon. Elizabeth Teixeira.

Dr. Tabashneck’s presentation focused on child development and the neurobiological impact of separation from caregivers, including the ways disrupted attachment and chronic stress can affect children’s emotional, cognitive, and physiological development.

Address

Cambridge, MA

Website

https://clbb.mgh.harvard.edu/

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