Gluten Sensitivity and Drug Resistant Seizures
Gluten Free Diet May be the Best Treatment
Jan 18, 2009
Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disease, is the most recognized form of gluten sensitivity. It is a known cause of epilepsy (NINDS) and affects about 1% of the world's population (Fasano). Seizures may be the only symptom of unrecognized gluten sensitivity.
Last year, neurologists in Chile published a report of a patient who had drug resistant seizures for 11 years. She improved dramatically after she went on a gluten free diet. The doctors say her case highlights the importance of considering gluten sensitivity in patients whose seizures do not respond to drug therapy.
Doctor Recommends Gluten Free Diet
Dr. Scot Lewey is a Colorado Gastroenterologist specializing in allergies and gluten sensitivity. In his February 11, 2007 ezinearticles.com article, "Gluten Free Diet Should be Considered For Everyone With Neurological and Psychiatric Symptoms," Dr. Lewey discusses a patient who had neuropathy (nerve inflammation). Although she did not have full blown celiac disease, she had signs of gluten sensitivity. Her condition improved after she started a gluten free diet.
Dr. Lewey points to researcher Mario Hadjivassiliou's observation that neurological disorders due to gluten sensitivity will only get worse if gluten is not removed from the diet. Dr. Lewey says, "This makes it very important not to delay considering gluten as a cause of neurological symptoms nor delay diagnostic testing or institution of a gluten free diet."
Tests for Gluten Sensitivity
Standard tests for gluten sensitivity may not identify gluten sensitivity or celiac disease in people who have neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Dr. Lewey stresses, "Even if the tests are negative for celiac disease before restricting gluten, then a trial of gluten free diet is suggested." Improvement while on the diet is considered confirmation of gluten sensitivity.
In his article, Dr. Lewey recommends testing for gluten sensitivity before starting the diet. A few weeks on the gluten free diet may lead to improvements that could affect test results. Starting the diet before the evaluation might cause a person who is gluten sensitive to have normal test results.
Gluten Free Diet
In the gluten free diet, glutens, a class of proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley, must be removed from the diet. Those on the diet are discovering the nutritional advantages of making breads and pastries from various gluten free flours. Most health food stores and some grocery chains carry gluten free foods and mixes. There are many books, support groups, and internet resources available for people who are going gluten free. If gluten sensitivity is the unrecognized trigger for one's seizures, the gluten free diet may be the antidote.
Where to find more information:
Internet Resources:
Dr. Scot Lewey's blog and journal:
Books:
The Gluten Free Gourmet, by Bette Hagman, Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 9780805012101
Dangerous Grains: Why Gluten Cereal Grains May Be Hazardous To Your Health, James Braly, MD and Ron Hoggan,M.A. Publisher: Avery Publishing Group Inc.,US ISBN: 9781583331293
Sources:
Seizures and Epilepsy: Hope Through Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Catassi C, Fasano A.,Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2008 Nov;24(6):687-91. PMID: 19122516.
Canales P, Mery VP, Larrondo FJ, Bravo FL, Godoy J.,Department of Neurology, Hospital Regional de Talca, Talca, Chile. Epilepsy and celiac disease: favorable outcome with a gluten-free diet in a patient refractory to antiepileptic drugs; Neurologist. 2006 Nov;12(6):318-21 PMID: 17122729
Lewey, Scot; Gluten Free Diet Should be Considered for Everyone With Neurological or Psychiatric Symptoms; Feb. 11, 2007; Ezinearticles.com.
M Hadjivassiliou, R A Grünewald, G A B Davies-Jones. Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness; Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 2002;72:560-563
