Adolescence, schizophrenia and drug abuse: a window of vulnerability

To discuss the neurobiological and psychosocial developmental factors in adolescence contributing to simultaneous onset and co-occurrence of psychosis and substance use disorders.

A review of the literature.

Adolescence is a period with specific psychosocial challenges and specific changes in the brain that increase the probability of the onset of both psychosis and substance abuse, in predisposed people. In vulnerable adolescents it is proposed that an excessive pruning of dopaminergic neurones leads to mesocortical hypofrontality causing anhedonia and dysphoria. At the same time, anhedonia and dysphoria are important risk factors for the development of substance abuse. In turn, hypofrontality leads to a reduction in mesocortical feedback inhibition of the mesolimbic system resulting in aberrant salience and positive symptoms. Finally, the development of aberrant salience plays a role in both psychoses and craving.

Attention should be paid to the interaction of drug abuse and schizophrenia and an integrated treatment is needed. Dysphoria and anhedonia in schizophrenic adolescents are important factors in treatment with antipsychotic medication, both in terms of patient satisfaction and in the prevention of substance abuse.