ANTI-TRANSGLUTAMINASE 6 ANTIBODIES AS A SEROLOGICAL MARKER FOR GLUTEN RELATED NEUROLOGIC DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Gluten sensitivity typically presents as celiac disease, a chronic, autoimmune mediated, small-intestinal disorder. Neurological disorders occur with a frequency of up to 10% in these patients. However, neurological disorders can also be the sole presenting feature of gluten sensitivity. Development of autoimmunity directed toward different members of the Transglutaminase gene family could offer an explanation for the diversity in manifestations of gluten sensitivity. Antibodies against Transglutaminase 6 (anti-TG6) represent a new marker associated with gluten-related neurological dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-TG6 antibodies in this group of individuals with an early neurological injury resulting in CP. Materials and Methods: 60 children with different forms of cerebral palsy and 40 healthy control children were included and investigated for IgA/IgG class anti-TG6 by ELISA. Results: Anti-TG6 antibodies were found in 9/60 (15%) of patients with CP compared to 3/40 (7.5%) in controls. The quadriplegic subgroup of CP had a significantly higher prevalence of anti-TG6 antibodies 7/15 (46.7%) compared to the other subgroups and controls. Conclusions: An early brain insult and associated inflammation may predispose to future development of TG6 autoimmunity.