The findings of this study suggest that variation in disorganized symptoms and cognitive ability in schizophrenia are markers of schizophrenia common genetic liability; cognitive performance in schizophrenia may reflect distinct contributions from genetic liabilities to both intelligence and schizophrenia.
Key Points Question Are phenotypic dimensions in schizophrenia associated with genetic liability to schizophrenia, other neuropsychiatric disorders, and intelligence? Findings In this cross-sectional genetic association study of 1220 individuals with schizophrenia, analyses indicated that higher levels of disorganized symptoms, but not other symptom dimensions, and lower levels of current cognitive ability were significantly associated with schizophrenia polygenic risk scores. Current cognitive ability was also associated with intelligence polygenic risk scores. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that variation in disorganized symptoms and cognitive ability in schizophrenia are markers of schizophrenia common genetic liability; cognitive performance in schizophrenia may reflect distinct contributions from genetic liabilities to both intelligence and schizophrenia.