Lyngstad SH, Bettella F, Aminoff SR, et al. - Given the central predictive value of apathy for a poor functional outcome in schizophrenia, researchers examined how schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (PRSs) are associated with apathy levels in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (n = 281) and matched healthy controls (n = 298). Further, they sought to determine the contribution of schizophrenia PRS in predicting apathy when added to premorbid and clinical factors in the patient sample. Each participant was assessed for schizophrenia PRSs and for apathy; apathy was assessed using the Apathy Evaluation Scale. Findings revealed no significant correlations between schizophrenia PRS and apathy in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and healthy controls. They identified significant predictive value of several premorbid and clinical characteristics, but not of schizophrenia PRS, for apathy in patients. As the PRSs are based on common genetic variants, associations to other types of genetic factors cannot be precluded. Further, this study suggests a possible contribution of environmentally based biological or psychological factors to apathy levels in schizophrenia.