One of the quoted scientists, Dr. Fasano, discovered a protein called zonulin [1] responsible for mediating the permeability of cells in the gut, with possible

One of the quoted scientists, Dr. Fasano, discovered a protein called zonulin [1] responsible for mediating the permeability of cells in the gut, with possible implications for gut-involved autoimmune diseases. He authored a fascinating (so far, it's long!) review article on the subject, freely accessible [2]. The original article hints at one potential etiology for gluten's neurological effects: antibodies directed at gliadin, a gluten protein, could cross-react with proteins in the brain. The finding suggests that, by some coincidence, certain proteins on neurons structurally resemble proteins in wheat. Meaning that, if your immune system attacks gluten, it might also inadvertently pursue brain tissue. Interestingly, gliadin also activates the zonulin pathway. There is drug trial underway to target that pathway, now reportedly past the phase 2 (efficacy and safety) stage in 300 patients [3]. Another possible neurological tie-in is myelin. Myelin is a lipid sheath surrounding axons, very roughly analogous to cable insulation. De-myelination is involved in several autoimmune neurological diseases, including multiple-sclerosis. There are several proposed mechanisms referenced in [2], and recent work has suggested at least a weak association between celiac disease and multiple-sclerosis [4]. Since the original article also mentions schizophrenia, it is worth pointing out that de-myelination has also been suggested as a factor in some schizophrenic pathologies. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zonulin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zonulin [2] http://physrev.physiology.org/content/91/1/151.long http://physrev.physiology.org/content/91/1/151.long [3] http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alba-therapeutics-announces-positive-results-of-phase-iib-trial-in-celiac-disease-244877451.html http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alba-therapeutics-an... [4] http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/11/31 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/11/31