(May 22, 2003) — Despite no scientific evidence to prove it, some
dietitians and parents have long believed that they can reduce symptoms of
autism in children by eliminating the amount of gluten and dairy products
that they eat.
The University of Rochester Medical Center is about to test that theory
using a five-year, $7.5 million grant from the National Institutes of
Health.
UR and seven other research centers are embarking on the nation’s most
extensive study of how children respond to various treatments for autism,
a complex neurological disorder that can deprive someone of the ability to
communicate and interact socially.
With awareness of autism on the rise, the NIH is seeking a broad,
scientific review of treatments to determine which ones are most
effective. There is no cure for autism, although many children respond to
therapy.
“Autism treatment is very expensive financially and emotionally -- and no
single approach works for all children,” said Patricia M. Rodier, UR
professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the principal investigator on
the university’s autism project. “If we could predict in advance which
children would benefit from available treatments and which would not,
children could be matched to the best treatments available.”
In addition to the diet test, UR will plot brain activity to discover why
some children with autism exhibit little or no facial expression. Also, a
behavioral study will collect data on IQ, social and language skills,
repetitive movements and other characteristics of children with autism.
But what may garner the most attention is the study on gluten, which is
commonly found in wheat, rye and oats; and the protein casein, found in
many dairy products.
Some parents with autistic children believe that casein and proteinaceous
gluten produce symptoms of autism by disrupting the biochemical processes
in the brain.
“I know parents who swear by it,” said Bonnie Watson of Pittsford, whose
8-year-old daughter, Adrienne, has autism. “Most of them believe that
eliminating these proteins increases their children’s eye contact and
level of interaction with others. But give them one glass of milk and
their behavior worsens.”
A special diet -- free of gluten and casein -- is not something that
Watson is willing to try for Adrienne right now. Adrienne’s behavior is
such that she won’t eat many foods, and getting her to eat a regimented
diet is beyond her ability, Watson said.
“Maybe when she gets older. By then, this study might be able to give us
an idea of what’s really going on with these proteins,” Watson said.
Rodier has been delving into the roots of autism since 1994.
In 2000, Rodier and a team of UR investigators announced the discovery of
a gene that could increase a person’s susceptibility to autism. The gene,
known as HOXA1, may play a crucial role in early brain development, doing
much of its work during three or four days in the third week of pregnancy.
At least 16 of every 10,000 babies are born with autism or a related
disorder. This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are
believed to have some form of autism.
E-mail address:
mleingan@DemocratandChronicle.com