UT Health Science Center researchers study diet and autism

"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 Katherine 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."

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 Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. For more information on the study, call 713-500-5669.

Media contact: Deborah Mann Lake, 713-500-3030.