Identifying Genes Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorders by Random Walk Method With Significance Tests

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are generally defined as a development disorder typically characterized by social interaction and communication ailments and stereotyped actions due to combined genetic and environmental factors. Different critical aspects contribute to ASD, and consensus has been reached among autism researchers about its predominant genetic factors. However, the pathogenesis of ASD has not been fully revealed, and a systematic method must be developed to identify the genes related to this disease. Here, we predicted new ASD-associated genes by random walk method on the basis of prior-known ASD genes from AutDB. New genes such as RAC3, AC1 (ADCY1), PKC (PRKC) gamma, EPH receptor A5, WNT3A, calretinin, RAS-R, KLF4, and calpain 3 were found to play an irreplaceable role in ASD pathogenesis.