New study published looking at GFCF diet and ASD

[Clarissimo]

Cam acroos this from nutriotional neuroscience 2010 today:

The ScanBrit randomised, controlled, singleblind
study of a gluten- and casein-free
dietary intervention for children with autism
spectrum disorders
Paul Whiteley1, Demetrious Haracopos2, Ann-Mari Knivsberg3, Karl Ludvig
Reichelt4, Sarah Parlar2, Judith Jacobsen5, Anders Seim6, Lennart Pedersen2,
Maja Schondel2, Paul Shattock1
1Dept of Pharmacy, Health & Well-being, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland, UK
2Center for Autisme, Herlev Hovedgade, Herlev, Denmark
3National Centre for Reading Education & Research, University of Stavanger, Norway
4Department of Pediatric Research, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet Medical Centre, Norway
5Statcon ApS, Kokkedal, Denmark
6Fjellstrand, Norway
There is increasing interest in the use of gluten- and casein-free diets for children with autism spectrum
disorders (ASDs).We report results froma two-stage, 24-month, randomised, controlled trial incorporating
an adaptive ?catch-up? design and interim analysis. Stage 1 of the trial saw 72 Danish children (aged 4
years to 10 years 11 months) assigned to diet (A) or non-diet (B) groups by stratified randomisation.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) were
used to assess core autism behaviours, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS) to ascertain
developmental level, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ? IV scale (ADHD-IV) to determine
inattention and hyperactivity. Participants were tested at baseline, 8, and 12 months. Based on per
protocol repeated measures analysis, data for 26 diet children and 29 controls were available at 12
months. At this point, there was a significant improvement to mean diet group scores (time*treatment
interaction) on sub-domains of ADOS, GARS and ADHD-IV measures. Surpassing of predefined
statistical thresholds as evidence of improvement in group A at 12 months sanctioned the re-assignment
of group B participants to active dietary treatment.Stage 2 data for 18 group A and 17 group B participants
were available at 24 months. Multiple scenario analysis based on inter- and intra-group comparisons
showed some evidence of sustained clinical group improvements although possibly indicative of a plateau
effect for intervention. Our results suggest that dietary intervention may positively affect developmental
outcome for some children diagnosed with ASD. In the absence of a placebo condition to the current
investigation, we are, however, unable to disqualify potential effects derived from intervention outside of
dietary changes. Further studies are required to ascertain potential best- and non-responders to
intervention.

diet seems to be one thing that can make a big improvement - let us hope this encourages more people to try it...

We have been considering it for our newly ASD diagnosed DS2 (8). My worry is resistance to anything new, he finds so many things difficult and food can be an issue, so a huge blanket change would be very hard. Has anyone done gluten free only - I think this one might be easier to slowly 'sneak' in? Then we could move on to CF after possibly.
Any tips for how to go about a diet change the best way?!

I think the problem with that Ampersand is that gluten takes several months to leave the system, whereas casein takes only days which is why most people remove casein first (if not both together).

Have you had your son's urine tested at the sunderland autism research unit? The people behind the research listed in the OP are here:
www.espa-research.org.uk/

They can test to see if gluten and/or casein peptides are present in your son's urine and therefore whether doing the diet will help - the test costs about 60 quid.

Thanks Catski - now realise there is a lot to this and we need to look into it properly. Still at that early stage where we are floundering around and everyone is saying 'try this' 'try that' it is all a bit much to take in sometimes!! Will start with the urine test as you suggest and go from there

We did gf only (were already and still are caseine lite), gf overnight as I was desperate to know if there was a chance of it to work. Best thing we ever did, still are gf.
Didn't have urine test, all blood test and allergy test were inconclusive, but I just couldn't sit and wait doing nothing.
Then I found out that in many cases diet improvement is the only proof you can have, b/c some test can be borderline or inconclusive.
Diet is awesomely healthy anyway, so what's the worry?

www.treatingautism.co.uk is a great website to look at. they also have various practicioners who will advise and also suggest various nutritional supplements whihc may also help a lot.

Marilyn Le Breton's book is a good 'beginners' guide:
www.amazon.co.uk/Diet-Intervention-Autism-Implementing-Practical/dp/1853029351/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qi d=1271364710&sr=1-3-spell

She also has a website and is very good at coming back with answers to questions, although there is a subscription fee:
www.respectrum.co.uk

I put ds on gf and substituted cows milk for goats milk with limited dairy. The results have been amazing. No stims now. If you let us know what your Ds likes to eat, we can prob suggest a gf alternative!

Oh and thanks OP for the info-tres interesting!