Hernández-Martín, A. 1 , Ruiz de Azúa, S. 1, 2, 3 , García-Fernández, S. 1, 2 , Haidar, K. 2 , Fernández, M. 2 , Ugarte, A. 2 , García-Alocen, A. 2 , Bermúdez, C. 2 & González-Pinto, A. 1, 2
1 Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque Country
2 Santiago-Araba University Hospital, CIBERSAM
3 Kronikgune
The genetic analyses known as Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) have proved to be a useful tool to discover genes with a potential influence over psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study is to summarize the latest GWAS findings of genes that affect cognitive processes in schizophrenia patients. We did a systematic review of articles through a search strategy with the keywords "schizophrenia" and "cognition" and "Genome-wide Association Study" or "GWAS". We classified results by detected polymorphisms and the gene they may influence due to proximity. Observed results include association of NRGN and TCF4 to memory and perturbation of pathways involved in brain development; of PTPRO to memory and learning; of WDR72 to executive functioning; of HEY1 to working memory, and of BCAS3, APPBP2 and MGAT5B to spatial memory. Moreover, CSMD1 and CPXM2 among other genes appear linked to IQ, while PKNOX2, MYH13, PHT2 and GPC6 are shown to influence formal thought disorder. A relation between MHC and performance in Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Cognitive Performance Test (CPT) has also been noted. We conclude that GWAS is a valuable method for performing genetic screenings that may help find candidate genes in polygenic disorders with no clear aetiology like schizophrenia. It is necessary, however, to do a subsequent assessment of the candidate genes to test the validity of GWAS results.