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Cited by 266Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding IssuesBehavioral and Psychological Studies

The ScanBrit randomised, controlled, single-blind study of a gluten- and casein-free dietary intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders

Whiteley, Paul, Haracopos, Demetrious, Knivsberg, Ann-Mari, Reichelt, Karl Ludvig, Parlar, Sarah, Jacobsen, Judith, Seim, Anders, Pedersen, Lennart +2 more·2010·Nutritional Neuroscience
DOI 10.1179/147683010x12611460763922
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Abstract

There is increasing interest in the use of gluten- and casein-free diets for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We report results from a 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. The study was registered with ClincialTrials.gov, number NCT00614198.

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  • A randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind study in 54 children found significant improvements in communication in the dietary intervention group when compared to the control group.

    “A randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind study in 54 children investigated how dietary intervention over a 12-month period affects communication, which was evaluated with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The results reported were significant improvements in communication in the dietary intervention group when compared to the control group.”

    From Role of diet and its effects on the gut microbiome in the pathophysiology of mental disorders (2022) · cites this paper as [121]

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Authors
Whiteley, P., Haracopos, D., Knivsberg, A.-M., Reichelt, K. L., Parlar, S., Jacobsen, J., Seim, A., Pedersen, L., Schondel, M., & Shattock, P.
Affiliations
  • University of Sunderland (GB)
  • Center for Autisme (DK)
  • University of Stavanger (NO)
  • University of Oslo (NO)
  • Fjellstrand (Norway) (NO)
ORCID
Venue
Nutritional Neuroscience
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2010-04
Volume
13
Issue
2
Pages
87-100
ISSN
  • 1028-415X (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-8305
DOI
10.1179/147683010x12611460763922
OpenAlex
W2053695875
Cited by
266
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 18
FWCI
11.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nutritional Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Robert Luff Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
Keywords
gluten-free diet, casein-free diet, autism spectrum disorder, dietary intervention, children, adaptive behavior, autism symptoms, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
MeSH terms
Aging, Attention, Caseins, Child, Child Development, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Child, Preschool, Female, Glycine, Humans, Hyperkinesis, Male, Severity of Illness Index, Statistics as Topic, Time Factors, Reproducibility of Results, Single-Blind Method, Diet, Protein-Restricted, Diet, Gluten-Free

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