Idiopathic cerebellar ataxia associated with celiac disease: lack of distinctive neurological features. Issue 1 (1st January 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pellecchia, Maria Teresa; Scala, Rossana; Filla, Alessandro; De Michele, Giuseppe; Ciacci, Carolina; Barone, Paolo
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 66:Issue 1(1999)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 1999-01-01
• Subjects: ataxia -- celiac disease -- antigliadin antibodies -- antiendomesium antibodies; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.66.1.32
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVES: To determine the occurrence of celiac disease in a population of ataxic patients without definite diagnosis and to characterise distinctive features which may help to differentiate cerebellar ataxia with and without celiac disease. METHODS: Twenty four ataxic patients without definite diagnosis (group A) and 23 ataxic patients with definite diagnosis (group B) were screened for antigliadin (AGAs) and antiendomysium antibodies (EMAs). Patients with a positive AGA or EMA test underwent endoscopic biopsy of the duodenal mucosa. RESULTS: There was an increased prevalence of celiac disease in group A (3/24) compared with group B (0/23). None of the celiac patients presented gastrointestinal symptoms or malabsorption signs. None of the ataxic patients with celiac disease had early onset ataxia. CONCLUSIONS: Celiac disease is associated with ataxic syndromes without definite diagnosis, suggesting that it plays a part in the pathogenesis of some ataxic syndromes. The absence of distinctive neurological features in ataxic patients with celiac disease suggests that a search should be made for celiac disease markers in all ataxic patients without definite diagnosis.