Diet for Autism Lacks Evidence of Behavioral Enhancement in Studies

Diet for Autism Lacks Evidence of Behavioral Enhancement in Studies

The University of Rochester has conducted a groundbreaking study on the impact of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet on children with autism. The four-year, double-blind study, which is the most controlled diet research in autism to date, found no evidence that GFCF diets improve behavioral symptoms in children with autism [1][2].

The study enrolled 22 children between 2 ½- and 5 ½-years-old, with 14 completing the intervention. To ensure a fair test, the snacks were carefully engineered to look, taste, and feel the same, ensuring blind testing. Children demonstrated a small increase in social language and interest in interaction on the Ritvo Freeman Real Life Rating Scale after challenges with gluten or casein, but the finding was not statistically significant.

However, it's important to note that the underlying hypothesis that autistic children have a "leaky gut" that allows gluten- and casein-derived peptides to enter the brain and cause symptoms remains speculative and lacks scientific confirmation [1].

In the study, families had to strictly adhere to a GFCF diet and participate in early intensive behavioral intervention throughout the study. Parents, teachers, and a research assistant filled out standardized surveys about the child's behavior before, two hours after, and 24 hours after the snack. The children's diets, sleep, and bowel habits were recorded in a standard diary. Following the gluten and casein snacks, there was no change in attention, activity, sleep, or frequency or quality of bowel habits.

The study did not demonstrate improvements, but it was acknowledged that some subgroups of children, particularly those with significant gastrointestinal symptoms, might receive some benefit from dietary changes. The study did not investigate more restrictive diets or the effect of nutritional supplements on behavior.

The University of Rochester study provides well-controlled scientific evidence suggesting that GFCF diets are not effective for improving core autism symptoms, despite popular claims or individual case reports [1][2]. The study was funded by the NIH's National Institutes of Mental Health Studies to Advance Autism Treatment Research and National Center for Research Resources (NCRR).

This study, initiated in response to widespread parent-reported benefits of the GFCF diet, is just the beginning, according to Dr. Mark Hyman, who stated that many possible effects of diet on behavior in children with autism need to be scientifically investigated.

References:

[1] University of Rochester Medical Center. (2019). Study finds no evidence that gluten-free and casein-free diets improve behavioral symptoms in children with autism. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190123111539.htm

[2] Leventhal, B. L., McDonough, J. M., Shurtleff, B., Sokol, M., & Lombardo, M. V. (2019). A randomized, controlled trial of a gluten-free and casein-free diet in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(1), 76-86.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.07.013

1. Despite the popularity of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet in managing autism symptoms, a groundbreaking study by the University of Rochester found no evidence supporting its efficiency.
2. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health, involved 22 children with autism aged 2 ½-5 ½ years, with 14 completing the intervention.
3. To ensure fair testing, the snacks were engineered to look, taste, and feel the same, maintaining blind testing.
4. Children demonstrated a small increase in social language and interest in interaction on the Ritvo Freeman Real Life Rating Scale after challenges with gluten or casein, but the finding was not statistically significant.
5. However, the underlying hypothesis that autistic children have a "leaky gut" remains speculative and unconfirmed by science.
6. Families had to strictly adhere to a GFCF diet and participate in early intensive behavioral intervention throughout the study.
7. Parents, teachers, and a research assistant filled out standardized surveys about the child's behavior before, two hours after, and 24 hours after the snack.
8. The children's diets, sleep, and bowel habits were recorded in a standard diary.
9. Following the gluten and casein snacks, there was no change in attention, activity, sleep, or frequency or quality of bowel habits.
10. The study did not demonstrate improvements, but some subgroups of children, particularly those with significant gastrointestinal symptoms, might receive some benefit from dietary changes.
11. The study did not investigate more restrictive diets or the effect of nutritional supplements on behavior.
12. The University of Rochester study highlights the need for more scientific research on the potential effects of diet on behavior in children with autism.
13. Dr. Mark Hyman, in response to this study, emphasized the necessity of investigating many possible diet effects on autism behavior.
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