Cognitive impairment is a familial and heritable aspect of major psychoses and might be a shared vulnerability marker for schizophrenia and BP. However, it is not clear whether some aspects of cognitive deficits are uniquely associated with risk for specific diagnoses.

A novel meta-analysis of cognitive functions in first-degree relatives of probands with bipolar disorder (BP-Rel) and schizophrenia (Sch-Rel) was conducted. Current meta-analysis included 20 studies and compared cognitive functions of 1341 Sch-Rel, 939 BP-Rel and 1427 healthy controls.

Sch-Rel was associated with cognitive deficits in all domains (d=0.20–0.58) and BP-Rel underperformed healthy controls in processing speed, verbal fluency and speed based executive function tests (d=0.33–0.41). Sch-Rel underperformed BP-Rel in general intellectual ability, working memory, verbal memory, planning, processing speed and fluency (d=0.24–0.42).

Inefficiency in processing information and impaired processing speed might be common vulnerability factors for major psychoses. On the other hand, low performance in accuracy based tasks and deficits in general intellectual ability, verbal learning, planning and working memory might be more specifically associated with risk for schizophrenia.