Coeliac Disease and Neurological Disorders
A number of neurological disorders have been associated with coeliac disease including peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar ataxia, depression, epilepsy and migraine, with an estimated 10% of individuals with coeliac disease developing neurological complications1,2. Depression has been found to be more severe in those with undiagnosed coeliac disease or in those who do not fully adhere to the gluten-free diet following diagnosis2.
Further research is required to establish the pathogenesis, although an immunological mechanism may play a role. In patients presenting with neurological symptoms case finding of coeliac disease may be valuable. A gluten-free diet may arrest the progress of the neurological symptoms but further studies are required to support these observations.
References
1. Alaedini A & Green PHR. Narrative review: Celiac disease: understanding a complex autoimmune disorder. Annals of Internal Medicine 2005;142:289-299
2. Pengiran Tengah DSNA, Wills AJ & Holmes GKT. Neurological complications of coeliac disease. Postgrad Med J 2002;78:393-398
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