Influence of a Combined Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diet on Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A 12-Month Follow-Up Clinical Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet influenced behavioral disorders in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its potential association with urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations.
Results Summary
The study found no significant behavioral changes or association with urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations after a 6-month GFCF diet. The authors noted the need for further studies with longer follow-up periods, placebo controls, and blinding to better identify potential responders to GFCF diets.
Population
Thirty-seven children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (normal diet vs. GFCF diet).
Duration
6 months for each diet (normal and GFCF), totaling 12 months in a crossover design.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GFCF diet | no change | behavior disorders | children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD | no significant changes | No significant behavioral changes | #1 |
GFCF diet | no change | urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations | children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD | no significant changes | no association | #2 |
6-month GFCF diet | no change | behavioral symptoms of autism | children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD | no significant changes | do not induce significant changes | #3 |
6-month GFCF diet | no change | urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations | children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD | no significant changes | do not induce significant changes | #4 |
The use of alternative interventions, such as gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets, is frequent due to limited therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our aims were to determine the influence of a GFCF diet on behavior disorders in children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD and the potential association with urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations. Thirty-seven patients were recruited for this crossover trial. Each patient consumed a normal diet (including gluten and casein) for 6 months and a GFCF diet for another 6 months. The order of the intervention (beginning with normal diet or with GFCF diet) was assigned randomly. Patients were evaluated at three time-points (at the beginning of the study, after normal diet and after GFCF diet). Questionnaires regarding behavior and autism and dietary adherence were completed and urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations were determined at each time-point. No significant behavioral changes and no association with urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations were found after GFCF diet. A 6-month GFCF diet do not induce significant changes in behavioral symptoms of autism and urinary beta-casomorphin concentrations. Further studies with a long follow-up period similar to ours and including placebo and blinding elements are needed to identify better those respondents to GFCF diets.