Why is adolescence a particularly significant period in the development of schizophrenia?

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Adolescence is a particularly significant period in the development of schizophrenia due to multiple developmental events occurring during this time. Brain maturation affects connections of temporal limbic areas, which are implicated in emotion regulation and perception of social cues - deficits in these areas can contribute to the symptomatology of schizophrenia. Frontal myelination is also occurring during adolescence, which impacts higher cognitive functioning and decision-making abilities. Additionally, circuit pruning - the selective elimination of unused or unnecessary neural connections - occurs during this period, which may lead to changes in brain function and connectivity that could contribute to a predisposition for schizophrenia.

Why Is Adolescence a Particularly Significant Period in the Development