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Updated: May 14, 2026

A Strategy to Identify de Novo Mutations in Common Disorders such as Autism and Schizophrenia
Published on: June 15, 2011
Schizophrenia genetic variants are not associated with intelligence.
A F Terwisscha van Scheltinga1, S C Bakker, N E M van Haren
1Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Genetic variants linked to schizophrenia, including copy number variants (CNVs) and polygenic schizophrenia scores (PSS), do not appear to influence intelligence (IQ). Schizophrenia
Area of Science:
- Psychiatric Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Schizophrenia is linked to reduced pre-morbid intelligence (IQ) and cognitive decline.
- Both schizophrenia and IQ are highly heritable traits.
- Genetic factors influencing schizophrenia risk may also impact intelligence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if genetic variants associated with schizophrenia influence intelligence.
- To examine the role of copy number variants (CNVs) and polygenic schizophrenia scores (PSS) in IQ variation.
Main Methods:
- Intelligence (IQ) was assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS).
- Copy number variants (CNVs) were identified from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data.
- Polygenic schizophrenia scores (PSS) were calculated using genome-wide SNP data from a large GWAS sample and applied to an independent cohort.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between CNV measures and IQ.
- The PSS was associated with schizophrenia status and, initially, with IQ in the combined sample.
- The association between PSS and IQ was not significant after accounting for disease status.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia-associated rare (CNVs) and common (PSS) genetic variants do not explain IQ variation in healthy individuals or schizophrenia patients.
- Reductions in IQ observed in schizophrenia may stem from other schizophrenia-related processes rather than direct genetic influence on intelligence.
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