Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Research Using the Autism Polygenic Score
Objective: Genetic factors play a substantial role in the etiology of autism and its co-occurrence with other conditions and traits. The autism polygenic score, derived from the latest autism case-control meta-genome-wide association studies, captures some of the accumulated influence of common genetic variants on autism. We reviewed and meta-analyzed published studies that assessed the relationship between this autism polygenic score and autism diagnosis, and autistic, behavioral and neurobiological traits. Method: Systematically searching public databases, we identified 72 studies and > 750 outcome measures. Included studies received a quality assessment. Results: The majority of included studies were rated as good quality. The autism polygenic score was most strongly associated with autism diagnosis (meta-analytic r = .162, 95% CI .066 – .258). The autism polygenic score was also significantly associated with autistic traits but to a lesser degree than for autism (meta-analytic r =