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Published on: April 22, 2015
Sulforaphane Treatment in Children with Autism: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study
Martin Magner1, Kateřina Thorová2, Veronika Župová2
1Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, General University Hospital, 128 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
Insights
Sulforaphane (SFN) did not significantly improve behavioral outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This 36-week study found no clinical benefits in social interaction, communication, or repetitive behaviors for children aged 3-7 years receiving SFN.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.
- Sulforaphane (SFN), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables, has shown potential in preclinical studies for alleviating autistic behaviors.
- Existing research warrants further investigation into SFN's efficacy in pediatric ASD populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on behavioral outcomes in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- To evaluate changes in social interaction, communication, and aberrant behaviors using standardized assessments.
- To determine if SFN supplementation offers a clinically significant benefit in a pediatric cohort aged 3-7 years.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted over 36 weeks.
- Participants included 40 children aged 3-7 years with ASD; 28 completed the study.
- Assessments included the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), and Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC).
Main Results:
- While mean scores on the ABC and SRS-2 showed improvement in both SFN and placebo groups, these changes did not reach statistical significance.
- No significant differences were observed between the SFN and placebo groups in ADOS-2 subscale scores.
- The study found no statistically significant clinical improvement in the evaluated behavioral outcome measures for children treated with SFN.
Conclusions:
- Sulforaphane (SFN) supplementation did not demonstrate significant clinical efficacy in improving behavioral outcomes for children aged 3-7 years with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative dosages, treatment durations, or specific ASD subgroups.
- The findings suggest that SFN, at the tested dosage and duration, is not an effective intervention for the core symptoms of ASD in this age group.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder with repetitive behaviour which affects interaction and communication. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate abundant in the seeds and sprouts of cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to be effective in alleviating autistic behaviour. We performed a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study to examine the possible effect of SFN in a paediatric cohort aged three to seven years based on measurements of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), and the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC). The study consisted of three visits over the duration of 36 weeks (baseline, 18 weeks, and 36 weeks). Twenty-eight of the 40 randomized children completed the study. The mean total raw scores on ABC and SRS-2 improved in both groups, but none of the changes reached statistical significance (ABC: 0 weeks p = 0.2742, 18 weeks p = 0.4352, and 36 weeks 0.576; SRS-2: 0 weeks p = 0.5235, 18 weeks p = 0.9176, and 36 weeks 0.7435). Changes in the assessment of the ADOS-2 subscale scores also did not differ between the two study cohorts (ADOS-2: 0 weeks p = 0.8782, 18 weeks p = 0.4788, and 36 weeks 0.9414). We found no significant clinical improvement in the behavioural outcome measures evaluated in children with ASD aged 3-7 years that were treated with sulforaphane.
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