Several candidate genes for schizophrenia including nicotinic receptor α7 subunit (CHRNA7), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (dysbindin, DTNBP1) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 gene (GRM3) were investigated for their association with schizophrenia and BM in two independent samples. A strong and reproducible association was observed for CHRNA7 with both diagnosis of schizophrenia and BM performance. In conclusion, BM is an excellent endophenotype which will likely support the search for further candidate genes and related pathophysiological pathways in schizophrenia. Moreover, CHRNA7 has further supported its important role as one of the main candidate genes for schizophrenia.