2025-05-22 –, Track 4 (Thur)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly recognized in adults, raising questions about whether adult-diagnosed ADHD represents a delayed childhood diagnosis or a distinct condition. Undiagnosed childhood ADHD may lead to greater risks for adverse mental and physical health outcomes due to prolonged untreated symptoms. This study aims to disentangle the causal effects of childhood- versus adulthood-diagnosed ADHD on health outcomes using multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR). Leveraging genetic instruments associated with ADHD, we will assess the independent effects of childhood and adulthood ADHD on mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety) and physical health (e.g., cardiovascular disease, obesity). MVMR addresses potential confounding and reverse causation, enabling robust causal inference. By differentiating the impacts of early versus late diagnosis, this study will provide insights into ADHD’s developmental and health trajectories, informing early intervention and treatment strategies.
