UT Houston Researchers Study Diet In Autistic Children Possible Link Between Glu

[Guest guest]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

oo!

Finally someone in the medical center has heard the message and

stepping out to the leading edge. . . . . .

http://publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/media/newsreleases/nr2008/autisticchildren.htm

UT Houston Researchers Study Diet In Autistic Children

Possible Link Between Gluten, Dairy Products Will be Tested

HOUSTON†" (Aug. 6, 2008)†" Researchers at The University of Texas Health

Science Center at Houston have embarked on one of the first

double-blind, clinical studies to determine whether gluten and dairy

products play a role in autistic behavior as parents have anecdotally

claimed.

The pilot study is one of seven current studies on autism in the

Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Psychiatry and

Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

“There’s a lot of misinformation, so that’s why this study is so

important,†said Navarro, M.D., assistant professor of

pediatrics at the medical school and lead investigator of the study.

“Hundreds and hundreds of parents think this works but we need serious

evidence.â€

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder linked to early

abnormalities of brain development. According to the National

Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it affects up to six

of every 1,000 children and is characterized by impaired social

interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and

unusual, repetitive or severely limited activities and interests.

Researchers have discovered that there are differences in the central

nervous system’s anatomy and function in those diagnosed with autism,

but the cause of the disorder is unknown. Experts theorize it may be a

combination of genetics and environment.

Navarro, M.D.

Loveland, Ph.D.

“A lot of children with autism have gastrointestinal problems such as

constipation and diarrhea. Whether these problems are related to brain

development is open to question,†said Loveland, Ph.D.,

co-investigator and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences,

pediatrics and biomedical sciences at the health science center.

“There are neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors in the gut that

correspond with those in the brain. There are some scientific reasons

to think that some kids may benefit from this diet.â€

For the double-blind study, funded in its initial phase by

supplemental funds granted by the Department of Pediatrics,

researchers will enroll 38 autistic children ages 3 to 9. They will

look at the influence of gluten and milk proteins in the intestinal

function. Gluten is a protein in wheat; casein and whey are proteins

in milk. Casomorphin, a peptide in milk; and gliadomorphin, a peptide

in gluten, are thought to be related to changes in behavior in these

children. Children will be taken off gluten and dairy products before

the four-week study and then half will be given gluten/milk powder and

half will be given a placebo powder.

Researchers will study intestinal permeability (leaky gut) through

urine collection and behavior through psychometric testing.

Co-investigators for the study are J. Marc Rhoads, M.D., professor and

director of gastroenterology at the medical school, and Deborah A.

Pearson, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

Children will be enrolled through the UT Physicians pediatric

gastroenterology clinic and The University of Texas Mental Sciences

Institute. Navarro and Rhoads are attending physicians at Memorial

Hermann hospitals. For more information on the study, call .

Media Contact

Deborah Mann Lake

Deborah.Lake@...

Media Hotline:

Privacy Policy | Open Records Policy | Legal Disclaimer | Contact Us