Epidemiological research shows an association between cannabis use in adolescence and the development of psychoses and psychotic symptoms at a later age. A causal association is often suggested, although this cannot be established by epidemiological research, as this kind of research does not lend itself to determining causality. However, a causal link becomes more plausible, when epidemiological findings are supported by biological evidence.
Recent technological developments in neurobiological research have yielded new insights into the development of the brain, particularly during adolescence. These show that during adolescence, further important changes occur in the prefrontal cortex and projections from certain areas of the brain to the cerebral cortex, and from the cerebral cortex to deeper lying areas of the brain. Deviations in the development of the prefrontal cortex are generally regarded as an essential aspect of schizophrenia.
Researchers Raymond Niesink of the Trimbos Institute and Matthijs Bossong of Utrecht University have conducted an extensive review of the literature, and have developed a hypothesis on how neurobiology can explain the relationship between cannabis, adolescence and schizophrenia.
In their recently published article in the scientific journal, Progress in Neurobiology, the authors explain how cannabis use during adolescence can disrupt the development of the prefrontal cortex, and can thus lead to the development of psychotic disorders and psychotic symptoms.
Bossong MG, Niesink RJ. (2010) Adolescent brain maturation, the endogenous cannabinoid system and the neurobiology of cannabis-induced schizophrenia. Prog Neurobiol. 2010 Jul 15. [Epub ahead of print] Contact:
Raymond Niesink
