Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently associated with atypical sensory processing across visual, auditory, olfactory, and gustatory domains, variably affecting quality of life and requiring personalized treatment. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous fatty acid amide with anti-inflammatory properties, may alleviate these symptoms. This study wants to evaluate whether ultramicronized PEA (umPEA) improves sensory function in children with ASD compared to probiotics plus omega-3 fatty acids.
Eighty children with ASD will be consecutively enrolled and assigned 1:1 to standard treatment (probiotics plus omega-3) or umPEA for six months. Sensory symptoms will be assessed at baseline (T0) and post-treatment (T1) using the 11-item Daily Sensory Observational Questionnaire (D-SOQ). Within- and between-group differences will be analyzed using chi-square tests.
Eighty children will be sequentially enrolled and assigned using systematic alternating sequence (1:1 ratio) to the standard treatment (ST) group, treated with probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids, or the alternative treatment (AT) group, who received umPEA.
All children will be evaluated and classified for ASD severity using observation of free play and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule II edition (ADOS-2) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) test; then participants will be classified according to DSM-5 as level 1, level 2 or level 3 based on their support needs.
The ST group used two oral supplements, one containing Lactobacillus and the other omega-3 fatty acids. The alternative treatment consisted of a supplement (Paidinil® HD, Epitech Group SpA, Saccolongo, Padova, Italy) containing 12% umPEA. The treatment started with 5ml (600mg umPEA) for the first 15 days, then 10 ml (5ml twice a day) for a total of 180 days (six months of treatment).
The supplement had to be taken after meals.
A 6-month treatment duration will be applied.
The investigators will develop an ad-hoc designed multi-item questionnaire to investigate sensory disorders in particular smell and taste perceptions in children with ASD. This is a 11-item questionnaire by modifying some of the questions contained in the SSQ to analyze visual hypersensitivity auditory hypersensitivity auditory hyposensitivity , auditory regulation (hyper- or hypo- reactivity), taste and smell preference and perception.The questionnaire was named "Daily Sensory Observational Questionnaire" (D-SOQ) and consisted of closed-ended yes/no questions.
The questionnaire will be used to evaluate children at baseline (T0) and after 6 months of treatment (T1).
All children will perform Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment independently from the belonging group 8 hours per weeks divided into 4 sections of 2 hours each.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Treatment | Active Comparator | Lactobacillus and omega-3 fatty acids combined |
|
| Alternative Treatment | Experimental | supplement (Paidinil® HD, Epitech Group SpA, Saccolongo, Padova, Italy) containing 12% umPEA |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| supplement (Paidinil® HD, Epitech Group SpA, Saccolongo, Padova, Italy) containing 12% umPEA | Dietary Supplement | The treatment started with 5ml (600mg umPEA) for the first 15 days, then 10 ml (5ml twice a day) for a total of 180 days (six months of treatment). |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Changes of Smell perception in patients after treatment | Smell will be evaluated at the baseline and after 6 months of treatment using the ad-hoc designed questionnaire described in the material and method. The ad-hoc questionnaire -see material and method for details- is based on "yes" or "no" answers. There is no score limit, just presence or not (meaning improvement) of the concern | 6 months |
| Changes of taste in patients after treatment | Taste will be evaluated at the baseline and after treatment with umPEA using the ad-hoc designed questionnaire.The ad-hoc questionnaire -see material and method for details- is based on "yes" or "no" answers. There is no score limit, just presence or not (meaning improvement) of the concern | 6 months |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Changes of Auditory sensation after treatment | The auditory functions will be evaluated at the baseline and after treatment with umPEA using the ad-hoc designed questionnaire.The ad-hoc questionnaire -see material and method for details- is based on "yes" or "no" answers. There is no score limit, just presence or not (meaning improvement) of the concern | 6 months |
Not provided
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPR in Movimento | Latina | 04022 | Italy |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37380908 | Background | Di Stadio A, Gallina S, Cocuzza S, De Luca P, Ingrassia A, Oliva S, Sireci F, Camaioni A, Ferreli F, Mercante G, Gaino F, Pace GM, La Mantia I, Brenner MJ. Treatment of COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction with olfactory training, palmitoylethanolamide with luteolin, or combined therapy: a blinded controlled multicenter randomized trial. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Nov;280(11):4949-4961. doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-08085-8. Epub 2023 Jun 28. | |
| 33802689 |
| Label | URL |
|---|---|
| Sensory Responses in Autistic Individuals-A Narrative Review. Sensory Neuroscience 2025 | View source |
Not provided
General data anonymized about patients
12 months
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Comparison between oral supplement
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Lactobacillus and Omega Fatty acids | Dietary Supplement | Combination will be performed for 6 months using dose 1:1 of each element |
|
| Changes of visual sensations after treatment | Visual sensations will be evaluated at the baseline and after treatment with umPEA using the ad-hoc designed questionnaire.The ad-hoc questionnaire -see material and method for details- is based on "yes" or "no" answers. There is no score limit, just presence or not (meaning improvement) of the concern | 6 months |
| Background |
| D'Aloia A, Molteni L, Gullo F, Bresciani E, Artusa V, Rizzi L, Ceriani M, Meanti R, Lecchi M, Coco S, Costa B, Torsello A. Palmitoylethanolamide Modulation of Microglia Activation: Characterization of Mechanisms of Action and Implication for Its Neuroprotective Effects. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 17;22(6):3054. doi: 10.3390/ijms22063054. |
| 29984672 | Background | Famitafreshi H, Karimian M. Overview of the Recent Advances in Pathophysiology and Treatment for Autism. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2018;17(8):590-594. doi: 10.2174/1871527317666180706141654. |
| 35737818 | Background | Nimbley E, Golds L, Sharpe H, Gillespie-Smith K, Duffy F. Sensory processing and eating behaviours in autism: A systematic review. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2022 Sep;30(5):538-559. doi: 10.1002/erv.2920. Epub 2022 Jun 23. |
| 34698068 | Background | Danesh AA, Howery S, Aazh H, Kaf W, Eshraghi AA. Hyperacusis in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Audiol Res. 2021 Oct 14;11(4):547-556. doi: 10.3390/audiolres11040049. |
| 38680981 | Background | Hughes HK, Moreno RJ, Ashwood P. Innate Immune Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2024 Apr;22(2):229-241. doi: 10.1176/appi.focus.24022004. Epub 2024 Apr 10. |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001321 | Autistic Disorder |
| D000857 | Olfaction Disorders |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000067877 | Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| D002659 | Child Development Disorders, Pervasive |
| D065886 | Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
| D012678 | Sensation Disorders |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
Not provided
Not provided
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| C100843 | Lacteol |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided