The Schizophrenia Prodrome: A Developmentally Informed Review and Update for Psychopharmacologic Treatment

In recent years substantial strides have been made in recognizing the prodrome for schizophrenia as a prospective entity in adolescents and young adults. Preliminary data suggest that atypical antipsychotic medications may improve symptoms and delay or prevent progression to schizophrenia, but substantial additional research is needed before the balance of long-term risks and benefits can be confidently assessed. Other medications or psychotherapies might benefit these patients as well. Some centers are beginning to examine if and how currently used prodromal diagnostic strategies and intervention studies might inform recognition and treatment of younger patients possibly prodromal for childhood-onset schizophrenia.