All diagrams in overview and genetic evidence
Genes regulation and development
A genetic association and a molecular mechanism answer different questions. A pathway gene is not automatically an ADHD risk gene.
Genes regulation and development
Evidence interpretation
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DNA differences may influence regulation or protein sequence, but an associated locus, a candidate effector gene and a demonstrated mechanism are different levels of evidence. Developmental context can change the consequences. Common-variant and rare-variant ADHD studies support investigation of neuronal biology; they do not establish a shared defect in every patient or justify treating every pathway gene as an ADHD risk gene. The 2025 childhood GWAS has a publisher correction that should accompany use of that study.
What the diagram shows
DNA differences may influence regulation or protein sequence, but an associated locus, a candidate effector gene and a demonstrated mechanism are different levels of evidence. Developmental context can change the consequences. Common-variant and rare-variant ADHD studies support investigation of neuronal biology; they do not establish a shared defect in every patient or justify treating every pathway gene as an ADHD risk gene. The 2025 childhood GWAS has a publisher correction that should accompany use of that study.