# Phenome-Wide Associations of Polygenic Scores for Schizophrenia and Major Depression in 100,000 Chinese Adults. > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/phenome-wide-associations-of-polygenic-scores-for-schizophrenia-and-major-d/ > **Published:** 2026-04-28T14:04:00-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:04:23-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** China faces significant mental health challenges, with unique associations between mental disorders and other traits observed in its population. Based on sum... --- CED Clinical Relevance  #58Monitored Relevance  Early-stage or contextual signal requiring further evidence before action. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal Biological psychiatry global open science Study Type [Clinical Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome-psychiatric-risk/) Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary China faces significant [mental health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-psychiatric-research-findings-depression-anxiety/) challenges, with unique associations between mental disorders and other traits observed in its population. Based on summary statistics of existing genome-wide association studies in East Asian ancestry (EAS) and European ancestry (EUR) populations, we tested the associations of polygenic scores (PGSs) for schizophrenia (SCZ) and [major depression](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-disorder-treatment-major-depression/) (MD) with 254 phenotypes in 100,640 Chinese adults. We also conducted genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization analyses to assess the consistency of these associations across ancestries and infer causality. The PGSs predicted SCZ (Our study suggests the context specificity of relationships between mental disorders and other traits, highlighting a potential role of sociocultural factors. The presentation of mental disorders in China can be distinct from that in other populations. Here, we calculated scores that indicate an individual’s genetic risk for schizophrenia and depression for ∼100,000 Chines Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Phenome-Wide%20Associations%20of%20Polygenic%20Scores%20for%20Schizophrenia%20and%20Major%20Depression%20in%20100%2C000%20Chin...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fphenome-wide-associations-of-polygenic-scores-for-schizophrenia-and-major-d%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fphenome-wide-associations-of-polygenic-scores-for-schizophrenia-and-major-d%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Phenome-Wide%20Associations%20of%20Polygenic%20Scores%20for%20Schizophrenia%20and%20Major%20Depression%20in%20100%2C000%20Chin...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fphenome-wide-associations-of-polygenic-scores-for-schizophrenia-and-major-d%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41704843/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41704843/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What did this genetic study of 100,000 Chinese adults examine?](#What_did_this_genetic_study_of_100000_Chinese_adults_examine) - [Why focus on genetic risk for mental disorders in China?](#Why_focus_on_genetic_risk_for_mental_disorders_in_China) - [What did the study conclude about mental disorders and other traits?](#What_did_the_study_conclude_about_mental_disorders_and_other_traits) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### What did this genetic study of 100,000 Chinese adults examine? Researchers calculated polygenic scores, which indicate an individual’s genetic risk for schizophrenia and [major depression](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-disorder-treatment-major-depression/), for 100,640 Chinese adults. Using summary statistics from existing genome-wide association studies in East Asian and European ancestry populations, they tested how these scores were associated with 254 phenotypes. ### Why focus on genetic risk for mental disorders in China? The authors note that China faces significant [mental health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-psychiatric-research-findings-depression-anxiety/) challenges, with unique associations between mental disorders and other traits observed in its population. They also note that the presentation of mental disorders in China can be distinct from that in other populations. ### What did the study conclude about mental disorders and other traits? The authors suggest that relationships between mental disorders and other traits are context specific, meaning they may not be the same in every population. They highlight a potential role for sociocultural factors in shaping these relationships. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).