<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

A new study examined Mayo Clinic medical records for the years 1970 
through 2005 to identify 8 male and 5 female patients, aged 45-79, showing 
cognitive decline within 2 years of onset or a severe exacerbation of 
symptoms of biopsy-proven celiac disease.  Patients presented with 
amnesia, acalculia, confusion, and personality changes, and most also had 
ataxia or peripheral neuropathy.  4 had folate, vitamin B12 and/or vitamin 
E deficiencies with no improvement upon supplementation.  3 improved on a 
gluten-free diet.  It was concluded "A possible association exists between 
progressive cognitive impairment and celiac disease."

Arch Neurol. Oct 2006;63:1440-1446
Cognitive Impairment and Celiac Disease 
William T. Hu, MD, PhD; Joseph A. Murray, MD; Melanie C. Greenaway, PhD; 
Joseph E. Parisi, MD; Keith A. Josephs, MST, MD
< http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/63/10/1440 >

This was a limited study.  While it looked at folate and vitamins B12 and 
E, one major oversite of celiac disease research continues to be a dearth 
of knowledge about levels of essential fatty acids in celiac disease 
patients.  Fat malabsorption is a primary symptom of celiac disease, and 
the consequences continue to be ignored.  Meanwhile, an accumulation of 
evidence supports the critical role of omega-3 fatty acids in maintaining 
cognitive and mental health.  Omega-3 supplementation has even reversed 
conditions such as schizophrenia in individuals, begging the question of 
whether it is gluten toxicity or a fatty acid deficiency that may cause 
schizophrenia in some celiacs.  Check out these recent news stories and 
the Ness Foundation:

Food for Thought for Alzheimer's Emerges in Mediterranean Diet
< http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/AlzheimersDisease/tb/4260 >

Why your brain needs fish 
http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/What_is_in_food/15-1167-1171,37867.asp >

The Ness Foundation (See "Lipids in Neurodevelopmental Conditions")
< http://www.ness-foundation.org.uk/ >

Making progress through a sticking point
< http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/66402-print.shtml >

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