Sensitivity To Gluten May Result In Neurological Dysfunction; Independent Of Symptoms

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Date: Posted 4/30/2002

Sensitivity To Gluten May Result In Neurological Dysfunction;

Independent Of Symptoms

ST. PAUL, MN - You may have gluten sensitivity and not even know it,

according to a study published in the April 23 issue of Neurology, the

scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Loss of

coordination (ataxia) may result from gluten sensitivity. This disease

is known as gluten ataxia. The study found that some patients might

never experience the gastrointestinal symptoms that prompt them to seek

treatment for the disorder.

“Gluten ataxia is a common neurological manifestation of gluten

sensitivity,” according to M. Hadjivassiliou, M.D., of the Royal

Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. “It remains unclear why some

patients with gluten sensitivity present solely with neurological

dysfunction when others present with gastrointentestinal symptoms

(gluten sensitive enteropathy) or an itchy skin rash (dermatitis

herpetiformis).”

Although the cerebellum (the part of the brain responsible for

coordination) and in particular the Purkinje cells (output neurons of

the cerebellum) appear to be most susceptible to damage in patients with

gluten ataxia, other areas of the brain are not spared. “We were

interested to determine the mechanism by which Purkinje cells are

damaged in gluten ataxia,” commented Hadjivassiliou. Study results show

that patients with gluten ataxia have antibodies against Purkinje cells

and also that antibodies against gluten (antigliadin antibodies)

cross-react with Purkinje cells.

“These results strengthen our contention that eliminating these

antibodies through strict adherence to a gluten-free diet may have

important therapeutic implications for patients with gluten ataxia,”

concluded Hadjivassiliou.

The study was supported by the Friedreich's Ataxia Group, UK, and the

Telethon Foundation, Italy.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of 18,000 neurologists

and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care

through education and research.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit its

website at www.aan.com.