Abnormal Gluten-Gliadin Antibodies in Autism

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Gluten free diet is becoming increasingly popular across the Western society and even more so among those suffering from autism.

While many patients with autism benefit from gluten free diet that concept continues to be challenged by many scientists especially in the context of “biological plausibility” since there has been not much immunological evidence to suggest that subjects react differently to gluten.

Of note, gluten is actually a complex of proteins and gliadin is of the predominant components.

Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Study by Dr. Lau and colleagues  from the Celiac Disease Center in Columbia University, New York, lends further support to the use of gluten free diet by autistic subjects.

Autism-gluten study

• Subjects diagnosed with autism based on both Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule  and the Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R) were recruited.
• Two sets of controls were used: Unaffected siblings and unrelated healthy subjects.

Tests performed

Serum antibodies to gliadin, deamidated gliadin, and transglutaminase 2

Celiac disease associated markers HLA-DQ2 and -DQ8.

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Results of Autism-gluten study

• Autism subjects had significantly elevated levels of higher levels of IgG antibody as compared with unrelated healthy controls.
• Although the levels of IgG gluten antibodies was greater than unaffected siblings as well, it did not reach statistical significance.
• Remarkably, the elevated IgG antibody response was more pronounced among those with gastrointestinal disturbances as compared to those without.
• There were no differences seen in IgA antibody response or the HLA genotypes studies.  Similarly there were no differences in antibody response to deamidated gliadin or transglutaminase.

Conclusions of Autism-gluten study

Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

There is an abnormal immunological reaction to gluten among at least a subset of subjects with autism. This is underlying mechanisms appear to be distinct since the anti-transglutaminase antibody response HLA genotypes were not different.

Dr. Minocha's comments

Above results give further credence to the claim that many patients with autism derive benefit from gluten-free diet. As in case of many patients with  irritable bowel syndrome related non-celiac gluten-sensitivity,  it appears that science may perhaps be lagging behind public driving the gluten-related.

Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

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Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

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