Choreic syndrome and coeliac disease: a hitherto unrecognised association

Mov Disord. 2004 Apr;19(4):478-82. doi: 10.1002/mds.10691.

Abstract

Coeliac disease has been associated with a variety of neurological conditions, most frequently cerebellar ataxia and peripheral neuropathy. To date, chorea has not been associated with coeliac disease. We present the case histories of 4 individuals with coeliac disease and chorea (4 women, average age of onset of chorea 61 years). Unexpectedly, most of these patients showed a notable improvement in their motor symptoms after the introduction of a gluten-free diet.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Celiac Disease / complications*
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis*
  • Celiac Disease / metabolism
  • Chorea / complications*
  • Chorea / diagnosis*
  • Chorea / immunology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Glutens / metabolism
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / immunology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • Glutens