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Celiac Disease and Epilepsy

Intracranial calcifications in celiac disease and epilepsy

In 1970 JK Visakorpi, P Kuitunen and P Pelkonen published an observation, that celiac disease, convulsive disorders (epilepsy) and intracranial calcifications resembling Sturge-Weber syndrome could be found in the same patient.

During later years, there have been many publications about this connection between the gastrointestinal channel and the central nervous system, mainly from Italy. Glutenfree diet can sometimes cure epilepsy if started early enough.

The intracranial calcifications are easily seen on a Computerized Tomography, and are usually situated in the occipital or posterior region of the brain.

Changes in the duodenal mucosa

Macroskopic changes are usually easily seen throuht the gastroscope in a patient with celiac disease. The same changes can be seen also when the celiac disease is associated with epilepsy, as seen in this picture.

References:

Bye AM, Andermann F, Robitaille Y, Oliver M, Bohane T, Andermann E. Cortical vascular abnormalities in the syndrome of celiac disease. Ann Neurol 1993;34(3):399-403

Cernibori A, Gobbi G. Partial seizuresm cerebral calcifications and celiac disease. Ital J Neurol Sci 1995;16(3):187-91

Corazza GR, Gasbarrini G. Coeliac disease in adults. Baillieres Clin Gastroenterol 1995;9(2):329-50

DellaCella G, Beluschi C, Cipollina F. Calcificazioni endocraniche - convulsioni - celiachia: presentazione di un caso. Pediatr Med Chir 1991;13:427-30.

Fois A, Balestri P, Vascotto M, Farnetarni MA, Di-Bartolo RM, Di-Marco V, Vindigni C. Progressive cerebral calcifications, epilepsy and celiac disease. Brain Dev 1993;15(1)79-82.

Fois A, Vascotto M, Di-Bartolo RM, Di-Marco V. Celiac disease and epilepsy in pediatric patients. Childs.Nerv.Syst. 1994;10(7):450-4.

Garwics S, Mortensson W. Intracranial calcification mimicking the Sturge-Weber syndrome: a consequence of cerebral folic acid deficiency? Pediatr Radiol 1976;5 (1), 5-9.

Gobbi G, Bouquet F, Greco L et al. Coeliac disease, epilepsy, and cerebral calcifications. The Italian Working Group on Coeliac Disease and Epilepsy. Lancet 1992; 340:439-443.

Magaudda A, Dalla-Bernardina B, De-Marco P, Sfaello Z, Longo M, Colamaria V, Daniele O, Tortorella G, Tata MA, Di-Perri R et al. Bilateral occipital calcification, epilepsy and coeliac disease, clinical and neuroimaging features of a new syndrome. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1993;56(8):885-9

Piattella L, Zamponi N, Cardinali C, Porfiri L, Tavoni MA. Endocranial calcifications, infantile celiac disease and epilepsy. Childs Nerv Syst 1993;9(3):172-5

Tiacci C, D´Alessandro P, Cantisani TA, Piccirilli M, Signorini E, Pelli MA, Cavalletti ML, Castellucci G, Palmeri S, Battisti C et al. Epilepsy with bilateral occipital calcifications: Sturge-Weber variant or different encephalopathy? Epilepsia 1993;34(3):528-39.

Tortorella G, Magaudda A, Mercuri E, Longo M, Guzzetta F. Familial unilateral and bilateral occipital calcifications and epilepsy. Neuropediatrics 1993;24(6):341-2

Professor Jarmo Visakorpi

Visakorpi J K, Kuitunen P, Pelkonen P. Intestinal malabsorption: a clinical study of 22 children over 2 years of age. Acta Paediat Scand 1970;59:273-80.

Wright DH. The major complications of coeliac disease. Baillieres Clin Gastroenterol 1995;9(2):351-69

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