Skip to main content

The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet In Autism: Results of A Preliminary Double Blind Clinical Trial

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders volume 36, pages 413–420 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

This study tested the efficacy of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet in treating autism using a randomized, double blind repeated measures crossover design. The sample included 15 children aged 2–16 years with autism spectrum disorder. Data on autistic symptoms and urinary peptide levels were collected in the subjects’ homes over the 12 weeks that they were on the diet. Group data indicated no statistically significant findings even though several parents reported improvement in their children. Although preliminary, this study demonstrates how a controlled clinical trial of the GFCF diet can be conducted, and suggests directions for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

REFERENCES

  • American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.), Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: Author

  • Arnold G. L., Hyman S. L., Mooney R., Kirby R. S., (2003). Plasma amino acids profiles in children with autism: Potential risk for nutritional deficiencies Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 33(4):449–454

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bzoch K., League R., (1970). The receptive-expressive emergent language scale for the measurement of language skills in infancy. Gainesville, FL: The Tree of Life Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Cade R., Privette M., Fregley M., Rowland N., Sun Z., Zele V., et al., (1999). Autism and schizophrenia: Intestinal disorders Nutritional Neuroscience 3:57–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr E. G., (1985). Behavioral approaches to communication in autism. In Schopler E., Mesibov G., (Eds.), Communicative problems in autism. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Eufemia P., Celli M., Finocchiaro R., Pacifico L., Viozzi L., Zaccagnini V., et al., (1996). Abnormal intestinal permeability in children with autism Acta Paediatrica 85(9):1076–1079

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dohan F. C., (1966). Cereals and schizophrenia, data and hypothesis Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 42:125–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder J. H., (1995). In-home communication intervention training for parents of multiply handicapped children Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice 9:71–92

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elder J. H., Goodman J. J., (1996). Social turn-taking of children with neuropsychiatric impairments and their parents Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing 19:246–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder J. H., Valcante G., Won D., Zylis R., (2003). Effects of in-home training for culturally diverse fathers of children with autism Issues in Mental Health Nursing 24:273–295

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feingold B. F., (1975). Why your child is hyperactive. Random House, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Fombonne E., (2003). The prevalence of autism Journal of American Medical Association 289(1):87–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagman B., (1990). The gluten-free gourmet: Living well without wheat. Henry Holt & Co., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hastings R. P., Brown T., (2002). Behavior problems of children with autism, parental self-efficacy, and mental health American Journal of Mental Retardation 107(3):222–232

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoover D. W., Millch R., (1994). Effects of sugar ingestion expectancies on mother–child interactions Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 22:501–510

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanner L., (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact Nervous Children 2:217–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Kidder B., (1988). The milk-free kitchen: Living well without dairy products. Henry Holt & Co., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Knivsberg A. M., Reichelt K. L., Hoien T., Nodland M., (2002). A randomized, controlled study of dietary intervention in autistic syndromes Nutritional Neuroscience 5(4):251–261

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord C., Rutter M., LeCouteur A., (1994). Autism diagnostic interview-revised: A revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 24:659–685

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald J. D., Gillette Y., Hutchinson T. A., (1989). ECO scales manual. Special Press, San Antonio, TX

    Google Scholar 

  • Prinz R. J., Roberts W. A., Hantman E., (1980). Dietary correlates of hyperactive behavior in children Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology 48:760–771

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter M., (1978). Language disorder and infantile autism. In Rutter M., Schopler E., (Eds.), Autism: A reappraisal of concepts and treatment. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Schopler E., Reichler R. J., DeVellis R. F., Daly K., (1980). Toward objective classification of childhood autism: Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 10:91–103

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schopler E., Reichler R. J., Renner B. R., (1986). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS): For diagnostic screening and classification of autism. Irvington, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon W. R., (1922). Neuropathologic manifestations in infants and children as a result of anaphalactic reaction to foods contained in their dietary American Journal of Disturbed Children 24:89

    Google Scholar 

  • Schakel S. F., Sievert Y. A., Buzzard I. M., (1988). Sources of data for developing and maintaining a nutrient database Journal of the American Dietetic Association 88:1268–1271

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Z., Cade J. R., (1999). A peptide found in schizophrenia and autism causes behavioral changes in rats Autism 3(1):85–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Z., Cade J. R., Fregly M. J., Privette R. M., (1999). β-casomorphin induces fos-like immunoreactivity in discrete brain regions relevant to schizophrenia and autism Autism 3(1):67–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tapp, J. (1996). The MOOSES lodge. Retrieved September 24, 2003, from http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/~jont/mooses.html

  • Vojdani A., Pangborn J. B., Vojdani E., Cooper E. L., (2003). Infections, toxic chemicals and dietary peptides binding to lymphocyte receptors and tissue enzymes are major instigators of autoimmunity in autism International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 16(3):189–199

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolraich M. L., (1996). Diet and behavior: What the research shows Contemporary Pediatrics 13(12):29–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolraich M. L., Stumbo P., Millch R., (1986). Dietary characteristics of hyperactive and control boys and their behavioral correlates Journal of the American Dietetic Association 86(4):500–504

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the University of Florida’s College of Nursing Biobehavioral NINR-funded research grant P20 NR 07791-03 and GCRC grant M01RR00082 from the National Institute of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Jennifer Harrison Elder, Sylvia Burns & Lindsay Sherrill

  2. General Clinical Research Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Meena Shankar, Jonathan Shuster & Douglas Theriaque

  3. College of Nursing, University of Florida, HPNP Building, Box 100187, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Jennifer Harrison Elder

Authors
  1. Jennifer Harrison Elder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Meena Shankar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jonathan Shuster
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Douglas Theriaque
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sylvia Burns
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lindsay Sherrill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Harrison Elder.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Elder, J.H., Shankar, M., Shuster, J. et al. The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet In Autism: Results of A Preliminary Double Blind Clinical Trial. J Autism Dev Disord 36, 413–420 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0079-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0079-0

Keywords

  • Autism
  • diet
  • gluten
  • casein
  • GFCF diet