Spätadoleszenz und junges Erwachsenenalter - Ätiopathogenetische Bedeutung für schizophrene Psychosen

Abstract

The significant upsurge of schizophrenic illness manifestations during adolescence and young adulthood is a core finding of epidemiological research in schizophrenia. The reasons are probably manifold, so far, however, not well understood. From the perspective of neurobiological maturation, processes of neuronal reorganisation in cortical and subcortical structures are hot topics. Aberrant forms of pruning, sprouting and myelinization may play a major role in the pathogenesis of a schizophrenic breakdown. The consequences for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia have to be considered. Models of neuroplasticity during adolescence can be connected with models of a neurodevelopmental vulnerability and models of neurotoxicity within an integrated aproach in order to better understand premorbid adjustment, onset, and course of schizophrenic illness. From the perspective of psychosocial development, prominent developmental tasks have to be considered, which form a major challenge to all adolescents, bearing, however, special risks for some adolescents. Patterns of psychosocial adaptation found during this developmental period must be considered in their long-term consequences. Neurobiological reorganisation and psychosocial transformation are both sides of one developmental process during adolescence and young adulthood.