title: Gluten Sensitivity - A Potentially Reversible Cause of Progressive Cerebellar Ataxia and Myoclonus - A Case Report.
abstract: Gluten sensitivity is an umbrella term used for diverse clinical manifestations occurring as a result of abnormal immunological reactivity to dietary gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Celiac disease is the most well-known but not the only manifestation of gluten sensitivity. Myoclonus with Ataxia is a rare manifestation of gluten sensitivity and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients with idiopathic sporadic ataxia. The presence of gluten-related immune markers in normal population however complicates the reliable diagnosis of gluten related neurological disorders and clinical improvement on gluten free diet can serve as a diagnostic tool for this disease. We report a case of sporadic progressive cerebellar ataxia with myoclonus with positive antigliadin antibodies, which improved with a trial of gluten free diet. This case highlights an important diagnostic and therapeutic principle in management of late onset idiopathic ataxia.
authors.affiliation: Director Professor and Head, Department of Neurology, G.B. Pant Hospital , Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Geeta Anjum
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Khwaja
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Neurology, G.B. Pant Hospital , Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bohra
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Neurology, G.B. Pant Hospital , Delhi .
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duggal
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Neurology, G.B. Pant Hospital , Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Vijay V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Ghuge
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Neurology, G.B. Pant Hospital , Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Neera
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
keywords: Celiac disease; Idiopathic sporadic ataxia; Immune markers, Neurological disorders