Singh · 2014 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Behavior and social responsiveness over 18 weeks in adolescents and adults
Did behavior and social responsiveness scores differ between sulforaphane and placebo groups?
Human · randomized double-blind controlled trial
Key findings
Greater reduction in behavioral and social responsiveness scores than placebo
At 18 weeks, mean reductions were 21.44 points for SFN and 2.00 for placebo on ABC, and 20.40 and 2.00 points, respectively, on SRS. Between-group p values were <0.001 and 0.017. The abstract reported reductions from baseline in the SFN group of 34% for ABC and 17% for SRS.
Change also seen in clinician ratings
Improvement in social interaction, behavior, and verbal communication was rated more often in the SFN group.
Scores rose again after discontinuation.
After intake stopped, scores tended to return toward baseline.
Behavior and Social Responsiveness · 18-Week Placebo Comparison
Mean score reduction from baseline (points) · compare within each scale
ABC fell 19.44 points and SRS 18.40 points more than placebo
Mean change at 18 weeks in males aged 13–27. Negative changes in the source are shown as score reductions; between-group differences subtract the two mean reductions. ABC p < 0.001 · SRS p = 0.017.
Read the original paper and sources ↓View values and units
| Group | Value |
|---|---|
| ABC behavior SFN | 21.44 |
| ABC behavior placebo | 2.00 |
| SRS social response SFN | 20.40 |
| SRS social response placebo | 2.00 |
Detailed results
Behavioral and social responsiveness scores both fell more than with placebo.
ABC measures problem behaviors such as irritability, hyperactivity, and repetitive behavior; SRS measures difficulties in social responsiveness. Lower scores on both scales indicate improvement. At 18 weeks, mean reductions with sulforaphane were 21.44 points on ABC and 20.40 on SRS, versus 2.00 points on each scale with placebo.
| Assessment | Sulforaphane group | Placebo group | Difference in reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behavior · ABC | 21.44 points | 2.00 points | 19.44 points |
| Social responsiveness · SRS | 20.40 points | 2.00 points | 18.40 points |
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01474993. Baseline is the mean of screening and initial assessments. The difference in reduction is the difference between the two groups' mean reductions.
Caregiver questionnaires and clinician observations were both used.
The study assigned 44 males aged 13–27 years to sulforaphane (29) or placebo (15). After 18 weeks of intake, it observed whether changes persisted during four weeks off treatment. The numbers analyzed were smaller than those assigned and varied by assessment time and measure.
Clinician ratings also more often indicated improved social interaction, behavior, and verbal communication in the sulforaphane group. Scores tended to return toward baseline after discontinuation.
Percentage reduction from baseline in scale scores versus reduction relative to placebo
The ABC 34% and SRS 17% figures in the paper are reductions in scale scores from baseline within the sulforaphane group. The 19.44- and 18.40-point figures in the chart are differences between reductions in the sulforaphane and placebo groups.
Study design
Adolescent and adult males on the autism spectrum were divided into two groups and compared over 18 weeks. Caregiver questionnaires and clinician assessments were used, with another four weeks of observation after intake stopped.
- Participants
- 44 males · ages 13–27
29 SFN / 15 placebo - Intake and observation
- Broccoli sprout-derived SFN 50–150 µmol/day
18 weeks of intake · four-week follow-up after discontinuation - Measures
- ABC behavior ratings, SRS social responsiveness, and CGI-I clinical change
Study context
This extract trial involved males aged 13–27 years. The ABC 34% and SRS 17% figures are reductions in scale scores from baseline within the intake group.
Original paper and sources
Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2014 · 111(43): 15550-15555
- First published
- 2014-10-13