Neurologic Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease

 

Neurologic disorders associated with celiac disease:

(1) cerebellar ataxia (cerebellar syndrome)

(2) dementia

(3) myoclonus

(4) encephalitis

(5) myopathy

(6) peripheral neuropathy (small fiber, other)

 

Mechanisms:

(1) vitamin deficiency secondary to malabsorption

(2) autoimmune mediated

 

A patient with celiac disease may have the neurologic findings without gastrointestinal symptoms.

 

Factors implicating celiac disease as the cause:

(1) clinical improvement with gluten-free diet

(2) correction with vitamin replacement

(3) exclusion of other explanations (diabetes, etc)

 

If the neurologic deficit is not corrected by the gluten free diet and nutritional replacement then it may be independent of the gluten sensitivity.