Effects of Gluten Free / Casein Free Diet in Young

Authors: Cynthia R Johnson Benjamin L Handen Michelle Zimmer Kelley Sacco Kylan Turner

Publish Date: 2010/10/09

Volume: 23, Issue: 3, Pages: 213-225

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Abstract

With reports of the growing incidence of autism spectrum disorder ASD in the United States a large number of families of affected children is seeking alternative or complementary forms of treatment One of the more popular interventions has been use of elimination regimes such as the gluten and casein free GFCF diet This pilot study involved a threemonth prospective open label randomized parallel groups design of a GFCF diet compared to a healthy low sugar diet attention control for young children with ASD Both treatment groups evidenced some gains across a range of variables including measures of behavior language and ratings of the core features of ASD No statistically significant differences were noted between treatment groups While our results do not support use of a GFCF diet in ASD it is possible that a greater period of time is required for treatment before gains can be observed Moreover no significant nutritional differences or side effects were observed on the GFCF diet compared to the control diet However adherence to the GFCF diet proved difficult based on our adherence dataThe authors wish to thank Kathleen Colborn for her assistance on this project with respect to data management oversight and assisting with monitoring adherence We would also like to thank Meg MayerCosta MS dietician for her assistance in providing counseling to the participants’ families The authors would also like to thank all of the participating familiesDr Benjamin Handen disclosed consulting fees for Forest Bristol Myer Squibb and has research funding from Forest Bristol Myer Squibb Johnson and Johnson Neuropharm and Curemark Dr Cynthia Johnson reported no biomedical financial interest or potential conflicts of interest Dr Michelle Zimmer reported no biomedical financial interest or potential conflicts of interest Kelley Sacco and Kylan Turner also have no financial interests or potential conflicts of interest

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