[Research advances in candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a kind of neurodevelopmental multigenic disorder. More than one hundred of candidate genes for ASD have been reported. The candidate gene research for ASD involves in chromosome loci and screening of candidate genes and epigenetic abnormalities for candidate genes. The reported genes encode neural adhesion molecules, ion channels, scaffold proteins, protein kinases, receptor protein and carrier protein, signaling modulate molecules and circadian relevant proteins. The research of mutation screening and expression regulation of candidate genes can help to elucidate genetic mechanisms for ASD, and may provide new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. This article reviews the research advance in candidate genes for ASD.