Autism Therapy: gluteomorphines

definition of gluteomorphines: Protein by-products (peptides) that resemble morphine. The body naturally makes these peptides from gluten (a protein found in some grains).

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Elimination Diets in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Any Wheat Amidst the Chaff?
J Dev Behav Pediatr., by Christison, GW, and Ivany K., published in 2006, summarized Nov 14, 2006

This article outlines the research on whether elimination diets are effective for children with autism, and concludes that there may be some evidence of the effectiveness of a diet that is free from both casein and gluten, but that more research must be done.

First, the authors describe the theories behind elimination diets. The most common theory is that children with autism create protein by-products that "leak" from the gut into the rest of the body. Known as gluteomorphines and casomorphines, these protein by-products may have negative influences on the behavior and thinking of some children with autism. The authors review seven studies (published between 1990 and 2002) of the effectiveness of casein- and/or gluten-free diets. All of these studies suggested that gluten- and/or casein- free diets can improve the behavior of children with autism, but all of them had problems with their designs. The study with the best design (Knivsberg et al. 2002) showed that after a year of treatment with a gluten- and casein-free diet, children improved on several measures of autistic behavior.


Can the Pathophysiology of Autism be Explained by the Nature of the Discovered Urine Peptides?
Nutr Neurosci., by Reichelt, KL, and Knivsberg AM, published in 2003, summarized Nov 14, 2006

This article describes how gluten and casein elimination diets may help children with autism.

The author describes the evidence showing that children with autism may have digestive systems that do not work properly. As a result, small bits of protein by-products may leak from their intestines into their bloodstream. Some of these by-products are called casomorphines (from dairy products) and gluteomorphines (from oats, barley, rye, and wheat products). They may act like a drug, affecting behavior and the brain. The author lists some of the symptoms common among children with autism and describes how these by-products could cause these symptoms. These symptoms include: stereotyped behavior, lack of social involvement, epilepsy, self-destructive or pain-inflicting behavior, immune system problems, and sleep problems. Finally, research showing the positive effects of gluten and casein elimination diets is described, and the author asserts that these diets may work better for younger children.


Efficacy and Safety of Naltrexone Use in Pediatric Patients with Autistic Disorder
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, by ElChaar, GM, Maisch NM, Augusto LM, and Wehring HJ, published in 2006, summarized Oct 30, 2006

Naltrexone is currently not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the management of symptoms and behaviors associated with autism. This article reviews 22 available studies (published between 1987 and 2001) and finds that naltrexone may help to stop self-injurious behavior as well as hyperactivity, agitation, aggression, irritability, temper tantrums, social withdrawal, attention, eye contact, and stereotyped behaviors.

The authors begin by outlining the theory that children with autism may have high levels of the protein by-products casomorphine and gluteomorphine in their systems. These by-products are created as a result of digesting milk and grain proteins. Naltrexone blocks some of the action of casomorphine and gluteomorphine in the brain. Some of the studies included in this review showed that daily naltrexone treatment (doses ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg/kg/day, or 10-35 mg a day for a 40-pound child) resulted in improved behavior. The authors suggest that most likely only a small percentage of children with autism can be helped by naltrexone, and they acknowledge that it is difficult at this point to identify these children. The authors conclude by suggesting that naltrexone therapy (beginning at 0.5 mg/kg) be tried in children with autism and self-injurious behavior, especially if all other therapies have failed. Finally, the authors note that the most commonly reported side effect of naltrexone was sleepiness.


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    • Synonyms for gluteomorphines include: gluteomorphine
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