Autism spectrum disorder and celiac disease: no evidence for a link

Batista, Icaro Camargo; Gandolfi, Lenora; Nóbrega, Yanna Karla de Medeiros; Almeida, Rodrigo Coutinho de; Almeida, Lucas Malta; Júnior, Dioclécio Campos; Pratesi, Riccardo

doi:10.1590/s0004-282x2012000100007

Cited by 57 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…One of the most popular interventions for ASD is the gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet. The possible effect of the GFCF in children with autism is not due to underlying CD, since an association between these two conditions has never been clearly confirmed by serological screening studies [18] . It has been hypothesized that some symptoms may be caused by opioid peptides formed from the incomplete breakdown of foods containing gluten and casein.…”

Section: Gluten Sensitivity and Autismmentioning

confidence: 98%

Gluten Sensitivity

Catassi¹

2015

Ann Nutr Metab

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a syndrome characterized by intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing food in subjects who are not affected by either celiac disease (CD) or wheat allergy (WA). The prevalence of NCGS is not clearly defined yet. Indirect evidence suggests that NCGS is slightly more common than CD, the latter affecting around 1% of the general population. NCGS has been mostly described in adults, particularly in females in the age group of 30-50 years; however, pediatric case series have also been reported. Since NCGS may be transient, gluten tolerance needs to be reassessed over time in patients with NCGS. NCGS is characterized by symptoms that usually occur soon after gluten ingestion, disappear with gluten withdrawal, and relapse following gluten challenge within hours/days. The ‘classical' presentation of NCGS is a combination of irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, bowel habit abnormalities (either diarrhea or constipation), and systemic manifestations such as ‘foggy mind', headache, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, leg or arm numbness, dermatitis (eczema or skin rash), depression, and anemia. In recent years, several studies explored the relationship between the ingestion of gluten-containing food and the appearance of neurological and psychiatric disorders/symptoms like ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, schizophrenia, autism, depression, anxiety, and hallucinations (so-called gluten psychosis). The diagnosis of NCGS should be considered in patients with persistent intestinal and/or extraintestinal complaints showing a normal result of the CD and WA serological markers on a gluten-containing diet, usually reporting worsening of symptoms after eating gluten-rich food. NCGS should not be an exclusion diagnosis only. Unfortunately, no biomarker is sensitive and specific enough for diagnostic purposes; therefore, the diagnosis of NCGS is currently based on establishing a clear-cut cause-effect relationship between the ingestion of gluten and the appearance of symptoms by a standardized double-blind, placebo-controlled gluten challenge.

show abstract

Section: Gluten Sensitivity and Autismmentioning

confidence: 98%

Gluten Sensitivity

Catassi¹

2015

Ann Nutr Metab

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Malabsorption syndromes like coeliac disease and other gluten sensitive diseases like non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) has been studied. However, there is no satisfactory evidence of clear relationship [24][25][26][27][28]. Some studies and theories has looked in to the oxidative metabolism, homeostasis of thiamine and deposition of heavy metals as mechanism of pathogenesis of ASD [23].…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chelation therapy (eg: Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)-as pharmaceutical chelation) as a method of treatment for heavy metal accumulation may be effective [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] but lacks evidence and rather serious adverse effects like renal impairment, hypocalcaemia and even death has been observed [31,33]. Use of metal chelation therapy without proper supportive evidence is common in United States and has created concerns about improper use of science [33].…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Heavy Metals and Autism

Gamakaranage¹

2016

J Heavy Met Toxicity Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Autism is rapidly growing worldwide with massive impact on families, country and economy. Genetic and environmental causes are thought to be the main groups of aetiology of autism. Genetic mutations in multiple genes are identified, but they affect only less than 1/3 of cases. Environmental causes, specially trace elements deficiency and excess, leading to development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through several mechanisms is discussed in this editorial, with a mini literature survey. However, satisfactory evidence for clear mechanism or aetiology of autism is still lacking. Thus delays the development of an effective treatment strategy for ASD. EditorialAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is common and the numbers are outgrowing. Current prevalence is about 1% [1][2][3][4]. Changes in diagnostic criteria and improved awareness and reporting are amongst the reasons why the number is growing so rapidly, over the last three decades [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. However, the numbers are growing so rapidly worldwide that it may show an increase in incidence beyond these confounders [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Diagnosis of ASD is difficult in the absence of a definite biomarker or anatomical site of defect and frequent changes in its diagnostic criteria. Subsequently the prevalence studies are also challenging [5].The aetiology of ASD is yet to discover, but there are genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors identified as possible causes. Numerous genetic variants have been identified by genetic sequencing of ASD patients and many said to involve glycosylation related proteins and enzymes [11].Many syndromes are known to associate with ASD such as, Rett syndrome, Fragile X, Tuberous sclerosis, Prader-Willi, Timothy syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Harmartoma tumor syndrome [4]. On the other hand, the recent studies have shown a broad allelic overlap between autism and higher intelligence which opens a newer way of approach to search of genetic causes [12]. However genetic mutations that are identified account only for less than one third of ASD cases [13].The rapid increase in numbers during last few decades supports a major role in environmental factors over genetic causes alone [14,31]. The other possibility is that the environmental factors may be contributing to activate the genetic or epigenetic mechanisms of development of autism.The deficiency of some trace elements like zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), Aluminium (Al) and selenium (Se) were found to be deficient in children with ASD [15][16][17]. Iron (Fe) deficiency and vitamin (eg: B9-folate) deficiency has also shown associations with ASD [18,19]. The excess of some elements like copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) has also shown significant associations [15].Maternal micronutrient deficiency and toxin exposure can lead to defective foetal brain development. Prenatal exposure to pesticides, alcohol, cocaine, smoking and heavy metal can cause toxicity that leads to ASD [1]. Fish consumption, living close to gasoline stati...

show abstract

“…A possible association between autism and celiac disease was first discussed over 40 years ago [11,12]. Although some studies have pointed to higher frequency of celiac disease, family history of celiac disease, or elevated antibody to gliadin among autistic children [13][14][15], others have not supported these findings [16][17][18]. Diets that exclude gluten are becoming increasingly popular in the autism community, but their effectiveness has not been proven in controlled and blinded studies [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Characterization of the Immune Response to Gluten and Casein in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Revision

Alaedini¹

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

show abstract

Autism spectrum disorder and celiac disease: no evidence for a link

Abstract: No statistically demonstrable association was found between CD or GS and ASD. Consequently, routine screening for CD or GS in all patients with ASD is, at this moment, neither justified nor cost-effective.

Cited by 57 publications

References 28 publications

Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten Sensitivity

Heavy Metals and Autism

Systematic Characterization of the Immune Response to Gluten and Casein in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Revision

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About