ScanBrit Dietary Intervention in Autism

Phase 2

Completed

Brief Summary: A growing body of research indicates that dietary intervention excluding foods containing the proteins, gluten and casein, from the diet of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have a positive effect on behaviour and developmental outcome.

In this single-blind, randomised-controlled, matched-pair adaptive trial, we introduced a gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet to a group of pre-pubescent children diagnosed with ASD concurrently with an abnormal urinary profile. Following random allocation to a diet or non- diet group, stage 1 of the study saw an intervention group follow the GFCF diet for eight months initially - progressing to 12 months if required. A non-diet control group continued with a normal diet.

Assuming significant changes for the dietary group on the various outcome measures of behaviour and development, stage 2 of the study saw both groups assigned to GFCF dietary intervention for a further 12 months when outcome measures were again assessed at study end.

Detailed Description: Eligibility criteria: diagnosis of autism, no co-morbid diagnosis of Fragile X syndrome, epilepsy or tuberous sclerosis, aged between 4-10y11m.

Experimental hypothesis: children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on a GFCF diet would show a significantly improved group developmental outcome in the medium- and long-term with regards to core autism and/or secondary symptoms.

Main outcome measures: change in scores of dietary participants on one or more measures against predefined statistical thresholds as evidence of improvement, alongside changes to intra- and inter-group scores at study endpoint.

Main outcome measures ascertained by: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Gillam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - IV (ADHD-IV) scales.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Gluten- and casein-free diet	Gluten- and casein-free diet	Stage 1: Gluten- and casein-free dietary intervention for first 8 or 12 months. 8 or 12 months: Interim analysis based on surpassing statistical thresholds. If showed group significant improvements then progressed to stage 2 (continued on a gluten- and casein-free diet for a further 12 months).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Diet Groups Scores on One of Several Measures Used Against Pre-defined Statistical Thresholds as Evidence of Improvement.	Baseline - 8 months - 12 months - 24 months	ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule): module 1 cutoff scores (communication+social): autism=12, autism spectrum (AS)=7; module 2 cutoffs: autism=12, AS=8; module 3 cutoffs: autism=10; AS=7. GARS (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale): \<80 low probability of autism, 81-90 below average, 91-110 average, \>110 above average probability of autism. VABS (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale): \<69 (low ability), 70-84 (moderate/low), 85-115 (adequate), 116-130 (moderate/high), \>130 (high). ADHD-IV: 0=no problems indicated. \>11 attention \& \>11 hyperactivity = ADHD diagnosis.

Secondary Outcome Measures