Autistic spectrum disorder Mental and Behavioural Disorders Childhood autism
Conditions
Interventions
A randomised placebo-controlled, double blind parallel feeding study testing a probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1) and a placebo. A single dose (4.5x1010 CFU/g) will be consumed daily for period
Sponsors
University of Reading (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Children / adolescents with clinical diagnosis of ASD 2. Children with gut problems (minimum of 3 episodes in the last 6 months) 3. Aged between 4-16 years 4. Consent given by parent/guardian
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Prebiotic / probiotic administration within the last 6 weeks 2. Involvement in another study involving drug/medication affecting gastrointestinal (GI) motility during the month prior to and throughout the study 3. Living more than 75 miles from Reading, UK
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. To use multiple molecular techniques to investigate whether probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1) supplementation can modulate the gut microbiota associated with ASD 2. Particular interest will focus on quantification, and changes in the diversity and dynamics of lactic acid bacteria and clostridia | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Can probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1) supplementation alleviate the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly suffered by ASD children? 2. Does probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1) supplementation affect the behaviour of ASD child? Investigation of non-invasive inflammatory markers and faecal Clostridium toxicity genes and the effects of probiotic supplementation on these. | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed