Beyond Celiac continues support of research into the effects of gluten on the brain

University of Sheffield scientists receive Established Career Investigator Award for ongoing study of neurological symptoms in celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders

By Amy Ratner, director of scientific affairs

Beyond Celiac has granted a three-year Established Investigator Grant to the University of Sheffield, Sheffield UK, continuing the organization’s support for research into neurological symptoms of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders.

This is the second Established Investigator grant awarded to Nigel Hoggard, MD, and Iain Croall, PhD, for their work investigating the effect of gluten on the brain of those who have celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders.

Gluten-related disorders can cause serious neurological problems in some people. Others suffer injury to their brain due to gluten autoimmunity that impairs quality of life and often goes undiagnosed.

The new grant provides about $202,000 over three years to enable the researchers to study the role of a gluten-related antibody, transglutaminase 6 (TG6), in neurological disorders. Funding for the grant from Beyond Celiac was recommended by Sarena Snider at The Snider Foundation.

Researchers will expand TG6 testing from the neurology department to the gastroenterology department to determine how frequently the test is positive in patients with classic celiac disease. The study will also include cognitive function testing and advanced MRI brain scanning to better understand how TG6 causes damage to the brain.

“Neurological symptoms of celiac disease are not well understood and consequently often not recognized,” said Debra Silberg, MD, PhD, Beyond Celiac chief scientific officer. “This continued investigation of the effect gluten has on the brain could lead to answers that will improve the lives of those with celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders.”

The previous research at Sheffield funded by Beyond Celiac was designed to be the most thorough and clinically valid study to date of the role of TG6 antibodies in patients with neurological conditions. The study showed that TG6 antibody testing is critical in identifying people at risk of neurological problems relating to gluten autoimmunity regardless of whether someone has a diagnosis of celiac disease or not.

Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1 percent of Americans, more than half of whom are still undiagnosed. The disease causes damage to the small intestine, resulting in debilitating symptoms, and if left untreated, can lead to serious long-term health problems related to malabsorption, such as osteoporosis as well as some types of cancer.