The gluten connection: the association between schizophrenia and celiac disease

  1. A. E. Kalaydjian1,
  2. W. Eaton1,
  3. N. Cascella2,
  4. A. Fasano3

Article first published online: 28 NOV 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00687.x

Issue

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Volume 113, Issue 2, pages 82–90, February 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kalaydjian, A. E., Eaton, W., Cascella, N. and Fasano, A. (2006), The gluten connection: the association between schizophrenia and celiac disease. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113: 82–90. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00687.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD

  2. 2

    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

  3. 3

    Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

*Amanda E. Kalaydjian, Doctoral Student, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 North Broadway, Room 792, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. E-mail: akalaydj@jhsph.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 NOV 2005
  2. Article first published online: 28 NOV 2005
  3. Accepted for publication October 3, 2005

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Keywords:

  • schizophrenia;
  • psychotic disorders;
  • gluten;
  • wheat;
  • celiac disease

Objective:  Schizophrenia affects roughly 1% of the population and is considered one of the top 10 causes of disability worldwide. Given the immense cost to society, successful treatment options are imperative. Based on initial findings, gluten withdrawal may serve as a safe and economical alternative for the reduction of symptoms in a subset of patients.

Method:  A review of the literature relevant to the association between schizophrenia and celiac disease (gluten intolerance) was conducted.

Results:  A drastic reduction, if not full remission, of schizophrenic symptoms after initiation of gluten withdrawal has been noted in a variety of studies. However, this occurs only in a subset of schizophrenic patients.

Conclusion:  Large-scale epidemiological studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm the association between gluten and schizophrenia, and address the underlying mechanisms by which this association occurs.

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