Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barely, and rye. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs in those with an adverse immunological response to gluten when autoantibodies form and attack the intestinal villi. Neurological problems, including seizures, have been associated with celiac disease for decades. However because celiac disease is a GI disease, and used to be considered rare (its not, its common)... it has not been on the radar screens of neurologists.

This study is really significant because it is one of the first to broaden the search to include gluten sensitivity that isn't celiac disease. It is only in the last decade that researchers have begun to show that gluten sensitivity can cause neurological and other disease without showing as "celiac disease". I've been posting about this most of that time.

I honestly believe that every new seizure patient, of any type, should be screened for antigliadin antibodies associated with gluten sensitivity. And, because this has not been on the radar screen for neurologists, "old" seizure patients should also follow up on this...particularly if there is any family history of autoimmune disease or GI problems. Gluten has been implicated in many different seizure types, and frankly, they haven't looked enough. Kudos to those who put together this study.

BTW... if gluten sensitivity IS the underlying factor in seizures, in some cases a gluten free diet alone is enough to resolve the seizures...if instituted before permanent damage is done.

For more info on gluten sensitivity/ celiac disease see The Gluten File:
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/seizuresepilepsy


Cara

Here are some pertinent excerpts from the study above:



Early identification and gluten free diet may halt the progression of certain types of epilepsy. This is all especially important to those with family history of any autoimmune disease.