IS CELIAC-DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

An increased prevalence of celiac disease has been reported in neurolo gical disorders of unknown etiology. A large proportion of Alzheimer's cases is still of unexplained etiology. Thirty-three Alzheimer's pati ents and 24 elderly controls were screened for celiac disease. IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies were assayed in serum samples with enzyme- linked immunoassay. Confirmation of celiac disease in positive subject s was made by assaying IgA anti-endomysium antibodies by indirect immu nofluorescence. Two Alzheimer's patients and 2 controls were positive for antigliadin antibodies (6 versus 8%; NS). None was positive for an ti-endomysium antibodies. We conclude that the prevalence of celiac di sease in Alzheimer's disease is not higher than in cognitively unimpai red elders, suggesting that the immune changes in celiac disease are u nlikely to play a role in Alzheimer's disease.