The results are being reported On Saturday, May 22, 2010 in a presentation at the International Meeting for Autism Research. The presentation title is,
Hyman, S., et al. (2010, May). The Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) Diet: A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Challenge Study. Presented at International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Philadelphia, PA.ABC News Medical Unit reports,
"...The researchers undertook a randomized, double-blinded (meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew which treatment anyone received), placebo-controlled study.
Fourteen children who were put on the diet for at least four weeks were then given snacks containing gluten, casein, both or neither. The researchers evaluated the children for changes in attention, sleep, stool patterns and characteristic autistic behavior. The study did not show significant changes in any of these symptoms for any of the groups..."
Video: URMC researcher discusses findings on popular autism diet [5:49]
University of Rochester Medical Center Newsroom
Video: URMC nutritionists discuss gluten-free, casein-free diet [4:46]
University of Rochester Medical Center Newsroom
University of Rochester Medical Center Newsroom
Again from ABC News,
"Dr. Leonard Rappaport, chief of the Division of Developmental Medicine at Children's Hospital in Boston, called the findings 'disappointing.'
'Even though I did not believe it really made a difference, I was hoping I was wrong,' Rappaport said. "
...
" 'Actually, I don't think that many parents will be disappointed," Amaral [David Amaral, president of the International Society for Autism Research and professor at the University of California at Davis] said. 'On the contrary, it is very difficult to maintain children on the [GFCF] diet. Some parents who may have failed in maintaining the diet may feel relieved to hear that it might not be a benefit to their child even if they had persisted.' "
...
"[From Dr. Stefani Hines, a development-behavioral pediatrician at William Beaumont children's hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan] 'So far the research that has been the most promising has been aimed at applied behavioral analysis,' she said. 'We still have much to learn regarding best treatment practices for children with autism.' "
For more information
Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement
(video and more indepth description)
University of Rochester Medical Center Newsroom
May 19, 2010
Hyman, S., et al. (2010, May). The Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) Diet: A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Challenge Study. Presented at International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), Philadelphia, PA.
A Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet No Remedy for Autism
DAN CHILDS, LARA SALAHI and PAM MAZZEO, M.D.
ABC News Medical Unit
May 19, 2010
Past related posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Opportunity: Autism Science Foundation offers grants for parents and stakeholders to attend the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Pediatrics publishes two significant reports on evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals diagnosed with ASD
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
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