<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Dear List: A propos the June 1998 article in Scientific American, The Neurobiology of Depression by Charles B. Nemeroff, accessible at www.sciam.com I learned a lot, as usual, from the responses,and thank those who replied, in such careful detail. Reading between the lines, I am quick to acknowledge my emotionality about the disease after a lifetime of misdiagnosis and terrible trouble. I had 5 interesting replies: 1. I think there is a certain amount of denial in the Celiac community more so than in the medical community. First, active CD causes depression... Second, active CD is associated with a lowered level of serotonin in the central nervous system. this condition is generally associated with depression, migraine headaches, and binge eating of carbohydrates. Third, in active CD abnormally large amounts of serotonin are lost into the gut. whether it is used by the enteric nervous system itself in trying to control the intestines, or if it is used in the more common role of a signaling agent trying to control the smooth muscles of the intestines, is not clear to me. Fourth, unless there is a novel mechanism in Celiacs, the system that transports serotonin appears to have a lower capacity in Celiacs than in other people. this may be a persistent characteristic, not strictly limited to active CD. This respondent goes on to cite no less than 17 studies (I will forward particulars to anyone who wants them) 2. My problem, with the medical profession, is that it looks for obscure causes, for biological disorder, while ignoring the simple ones. I wonder how may of Dr. Nemeroff's patients would improve on a GF diet? 3. Informed me how to locate the article on the Internet. 4. Disagreed about deluging the magazine with letters to the editor. "The article seems very accurate and unbiased. I am not denying that celiac disease upsets the CRF and HPA, which will then lead to depression. But there are othere disease that can upset these paramters. Adrenal tumors, Hormonal imbalance due to anything, Kidney malfunctions or various nephropathies, etc, etc. This article helps identify how one with celiac disease develops depression." 5. I have reviewed Dr. Nemeroff's article and find it to be clear, balanced and consistant with the current state of knowledge re: depression. The fact that there may well be a celiac/depression connection and that this is most likely serotonin mediated seems to me yet another part of the puzzle. Like CD there may be other nutritive/metabolic processes which also influence mood and psychological well-being. I don't see these possibilities as being excluded by Dr. Nemeroff's article. True, such possibilities are not addressed directly but it seems an easy step to incorporate them into the overall hypothesis. As for "deluging the editor with letters", I would think a simple observation of the CD/depression connection would be enough to peak any scientist's interest. Of course, this observation would best be brought to Dr. Nemeroff's attention whether by way of *a* letter to the editor or directly. In fact, I would be more than willing to take up the idea with him and for that I thank you for bringing his article to my attention. As both a behavioral epidemiologist and celiac who also suffers from depression, I can attest to the connection between diet (i.e., gastrointestinal competency) and depression. I knew Dr. Nemeroff ... and would relish the opportunity to discuss this connection with him. Again, thank you for bringing the matter to my attention. Nancy in nyc