Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of L-carnosine supplementation in children with autistic spectrum disorders.

Chez MG, Buchanan CP, Aimonovitch MC, Becker M, Schaefer K, Black C, Komen J

Journal of child neurology1 Nov 2002Cited by 150 (Europe PMC)

PMID12585724DOI10.1177/08830738020170111501PepBankPUB-12585724

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In children with autistic spectrum disorders, the total score on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale improved significantly after 8 weeks on L‑carnosine, while children on placebo showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn children with autistic spectrum disorders, the total score on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale improved after L‑carnosine, while placebo showed no significant change.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
Direction not reportedGilliam Autism Rating Scale total score
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
placebo
Outcome group
Autism core symptoms · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
800 mg daily · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
After 8 weeks on L-carnosine, children showed statistically significant improvements on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (total score and the Behavior, Socialization, and Communication subscales) and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test (all P < .05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We investigated 31 children with autistic spectrum disorders in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if 800 mg L-carnosine daily would result in observable changes versus placebo.
Summary · context
Children on placebo did not show statistically significant changes.
Report a problemFND-1258572401
02HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Gilliam Behavior subscale improved significantly after 8 weeks on L‑carnosine, while children on placebo showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Gilliam Behavior subscale improved after L‑carnosine, while placebo showed no significant change.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
Direction not reportedGilliam Behavior subscale
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
placebo
Outcome group
Autism core symptoms · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
800 mg daily · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
After 8 weeks on L-carnosine, children showed statistically significant improvements on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (total score and the Behavior, Socialization, and Communication subscales) and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test (all P < .05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We investigated 31 children with autistic spectrum disorders in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if 800 mg L-carnosine daily would result in observable changes versus placebo.
Summary · context
Children on placebo did not show statistically significant changes.
Report a problemFND-1258572402
03HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Gilliam Socialization subscale improved significantly after 8 weeks on L‑carnosine, while children on placebo showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Gilliam Socialization subscale improved after L‑carnosine, while placebo showed no significant change.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
Direction not reportedGilliam Socialization subscale
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
placebo
Outcome group
Autism core symptoms · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
800 mg daily · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
After 8 weeks on L-carnosine, children showed statistically significant improvements on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (total score and the Behavior, Socialization, and Communication subscales) and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test (all P < .05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We investigated 31 children with autistic spectrum disorders in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if 800 mg L-carnosine daily would result in observable changes versus placebo.
Summary · context
Children on placebo did not show statistically significant changes.
Report a problemFND-1258572403
04HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Gilliam Communication subscale improved significantly after 8 weeks on L‑carnosine, while children on placebo showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Gilliam Communication subscale improved after L‑carnosine, while placebo showed no significant change.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
Direction not reportedGilliam Communication subscale
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
placebo
Outcome group
Autism core symptoms · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
800 mg daily · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
After 8 weeks on L-carnosine, children showed statistically significant improvements on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (total score and the Behavior, Socialization, and Communication subscales) and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test (all P < .05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We investigated 31 children with autistic spectrum disorders in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if 800 mg L-carnosine daily would result in observable changes versus placebo.
Summary · context
Children on placebo did not show statistically significant changes.
Report a problemFND-1258572404
05HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test improved significantly after 8 weeks on L‑carnosine, while children on placebo showed no significant change.
In plain wordsIn children with autistic spectrum disorders, receptive vocabulary test results improved after L‑carnosine, while placebo showed no significant change.
Peptide
L-carnosine
Outcome
Direction not reportedReceptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
placebo
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
800 mg daily · 8 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
After 8 weeks on L-carnosine, children showed statistically significant improvements on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (total score and the Behavior, Socialization, and Communication subscales) and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test (all P < .05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We investigated 31 children with autistic spectrum disorders in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if 800 mg L-carnosine daily would result in observable changes versus placebo.
Summary · context
Children on placebo did not show statistically significant changes.
Report a problemFND-1258572405

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
27 Oct 2026, 18:20 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
27 Oct 2026, 16:32 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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