SCHIZOPHRENIC SYMPTOMS AND SPECT ABNORMALITIES IN A CELIAC PATIENT - REGRESSION AFTER A GLUTEN-FREE DIET

A 33-year-old patient, with pre-existing diagnosis of 'schizophrenic' disorder, came to our observation for severe diarrhoea and weight loss . Use of single photon emission computed tomography, (Tc-99m)HMPAO SPE CT, demonstrated hypoperfusion of the left frontal brain area, without evidence of structural cerebral abnormalities. Jejunal biopsy showed villous atrophy. Antiendomysial antibodies were present. A gluten-free diet was started, resulting in a disappearence of psychiatric symptom s, and normalization of histological duodenal findings and of (Tc-99m) HMPAO SPECT pattern. This is the first case in which, in an undiagnose d and untreated coeliac patient with psychiatric manifestations, the ( Tc-99m)HMPAO SPECT demonstrated a dysfunction of frontal cortex disapp earing after a gluten-free diet.