Objective  To investigate the effects of dietary behavior intervention on the expressions of serum α-synuclein (α-SYN), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glutamate (Glu) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Methods  A total of 88 children with ASD were randomly divided into observation group (n=44) and control group (n=44). The control group was conducted with behavior analysis, and the observation group was conducted with dietary behavior intervention on the basis of the control group. The related indexes were compared between the two groups.

Results  After the intervention, the scores of role function, physiological function, emotional function and social function of children in both groups were significantly higher than those before the intervention, and the score of quality of life in the observation group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the BDNF level of children increased significantly while the Glu level decreased significantly in both groups, the BDNF level in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the Glu level was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the intake rates of cereals, vegetables, beans and bean products, eggs and egg products, dairy and dairy products, fish, meat and fruits in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The total incidence rate of gastrointestinal adverse symptoms was 4.55% in the observation group, which was significantly lower than 22.73% in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion  Dietary behavior intervention can significantly increase the level of BDNF in children with ASD, reduce the level of Glu, improve autism behavior, quality of life and food intake, and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.