Controlled trial of secretin, Dunn-Geier et al
To date, the recent study of Dunn-Geier et al (see abstract)
has the largest number of patients entered into a randomized double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial of secretin. The mean age of 95 children with autism
was 5.1 years. After random allocation, 47 received secretin and 48 received
saline intravenously. Baseline and post-treatment assessments were done
of receptive and expressive language (Preschool Language Scale-3) and behavior
(Childhood Autism Rating Scales and Autism Behavior Checklist) by parents
and clinicians. Parents also completed a questionnaire about gastrointestinal
symptoms. The data did not demonstrate "the efficacy of a single dose of
porcine secretin." Improvements observed in both the placebo and secretin
groups were attributed to a "habituation effect" as the child and family became
familiar with the clinic setting.
Dunn-Geier J, Ho HH, Auersperg E, Doyle D, Eaves L, Matsuba C, Orrbine E,
Pham B, Whiting S.
Effect of secretin on children with autism: a randomized controlled trial.
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology 2000;42:796-802
To determine the effect of intravenous porcine secretin on autistic behaviours
in children aged 2 to 7 years, the effects of secretin on (1) performance on
a standardized language measure, and (2) autistic behaviours, as rated by parents
and child development professionals was examined. Employing a randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 95 participants were assigned to one
of two groups and administered a single dose of either secretin or placebo.
A follow-up assessment was conducted 3 weeks after the injection. No significant
differences in language or autistic behaviour measures were observed at the
3-week follow-up between the groups. Also, there was no significant difference
in the proportion of individuals who improved by = or > 6 points on the language
measure at follow-up. This study showed no significant effects of secretin on
children with autism. Our results are consistent with a systematic review of
randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of secretin in children
with autism.
Secretin study by Chez et al