🧬 Autism and ADHD: Two Sides of the Same Genetic Coin?

The current classification of autism and ADHD may need an update.

Research published in Molecular Psychiatry gathered 166 children aged 6 to 12, who were verbal, some of whom had a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and others had ADHD. The team used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to observe brain connectivity, that is, how different brain regions communicate in the absence of a specific task. This technique provides a snapshot of the intrinsic organization of neural networks.


The data obtained reveals that children with marked autistic symptoms show increased connectivity between the frontoparietal and default mode networks. These networks are associated with executive functions, attention, and social cognition. While this connectivity typically decreases with age during typical development, it persists in these children.

At the same time, this brain pattern is observed both in children with ASD and in those with ADHD without an autism diagnosis. The researchers also established a link between these connectivity differences and areas where genes related to neuronal development are particularly active. Shared genetic influences could thus help explain some common behavioral traits.

To obtain these results, the team combined advanced neuroimaging techniques with spatial transcriptomic analysis. This method allows for overlaying brain connectivity maps with those of gene expression, providing an integrated view of biological processes.

In the longer term, this work could lead to more precise screening and support methods, tailored to each individual's neural particularities. The goal is to pave the way for identifying reliable biomarkers for autism and ADHD, in order to improve the support offered to the children concerned.