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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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