The gluten-free/casein-free diet: a double-blind challenge trial in children with autism
Abstract
To obtain information on the safety and efficacy of the gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet, we placed 14 children with autism, age 3-5 years, on the diet for 4-6 weeks and then conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge study for 12 weeks while continuing the diet, with a 12-week follow-up. Dietary challenges were delivered via weekly snacks that contained gluten, casein, gluten and casein, or placebo. With nutritional counseling, the diet was safe and well-tolerated. However, dietary challenges did not have statistically significant effects on measures of physiologic functioning, behavior problems, or autism symptoms. Although these findings must be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size, the study does not provide evidence to support general use of the GFCF diet.
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Anecdotal reports suggest an improvement in GI and/or behavioral symptoms in individuals on gluten- and/or casein-free diets, but these findings have not been confirmed in double-blind placebo-controlled trials.
“Though anecdotal reports suggest an improvement in GI and/or behavioral symptoms in individuals on gluten- and/or casein-free diets, these findings have not been confirmed in double-blind placebo-controlled trials 45.”
From Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [45]
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- Authors
- Hyman, S. L., Stewart, P. A., Foley, J., Cain, U., Peck, R., Morris, D. D., Wang, H., & Smith, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Rochester Medicine (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hyman, Susan L.
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2015-09-05
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 205-220
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- OpenAlex
- W1874135929
- Semantic Scholar
- b78fa684bdb762eb94d1bb5c975d3eb356a0b765
- Cited by
- 192
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 3
- FWCI
- 11.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- NIH/NIMH (U54 MH066397)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Celiac Disease Research and Management
- Keywords
- gluten-free casein-free diet, autism spectrum disorder, dietary intervention, gluten, casein, children, nutritional safety, behavioral problems, autism symptoms
- MeSH terms
- Autistic Disorder, Caseins, Child, Preschool, Double-Blind Method, Female, Glutens, Humans, Male, Diet, Gluten-Free
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