The AB Design can be used to quickly assess the effects of an experimental variable. Its main disadvantage its inability to distinguish the experimental effect from possible confounds that might occur coincident with the change of condition.
ceÂ·liÂ·ac disÂ·ease. A disease occurring in children and adults characterized by sensitivity to gluten, with chronic inflammation and atrophy of the mucosa of the upper small intestine; manifestations include diarrhea, malabsorption, steatorrhea, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies.
Symptoms of food intolerance. Gluten is one of the most common causes of food intolerance. It can be difficult to determine whether the patient has a food intolerance or an allergy because the signs and symptoms often overlap. According to James Li, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic allergy specialist, when it is an allergy, even small amounts result in symptoms, as may be the case with peanuts.