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The lnternatiOnal Journal of Biosocial Research
Publication Oftice: P.O. Box 1174, Tacoma, WA 98401 U.S.A. Published semi-annually. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

DOWN'S SYNDROME: lS GLUTEN/ ALPHA.G LIADI N SENSITIVITY/COELIAC DISEASE THE CAUSE?

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Copyright @ 1984 Biosocial Publications. All rights reserued

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

DOWN'S SYNDROME: lS GLUTEN/ ALP HA.G LIADI N SENSITIVITY/COELIAC

DISEASE TH E CAUSE?
Christopher M. Reading, B.Sc., M.B., 8.S., M.R.A.N.Z.C.P.'

Abstract
A
recent examination of Down's syndrome subjects with alphagliodin sensitiuity with or without celioc diseose ocquired t'rom the parent suggests o model t'or ocquisition of the disorder. A genetic model ond metabolic pothways are presented. (lnt J Biosociol Reseorch, 6(1):62-65' 1984.)

INTRODUCTION
Recently Sheehan and Hillary of Dublin, Ireland, described an unusual cluster of babies with bown's syndrome OS) bom to former pupils of an Irish boardin_g s.chool.' This suggested an infective cause as had been suggested by Collman and Stoller2 on e*pos,trZlo radiation or both. Howel et al3 reports a Down's syndrome patient that liv' ed to 71, had oesophageal cancer and coeliac disease and stated "the association of a Down's syndrome ind ioeliac disease has been reported once-previously." We list here the similaries between coeliac disease and Down's syndrome providing findings in 26 Down's syndrome patients. Gluten antibodies were seen in47% and ilpha gliadin antibodies in 43% of patients' reticulin antibodies 78%, parietal cell antibodies 58% and, thyroid antibodies 35%. OFanelly et al of Dublin, Ireland, described the importance of alpha-gliadin antibodies as a serological test for coeliac disease,s supporting the concept that immunological sensitivity to alpha-gliadin is specific to coeliac disase6.7, however, they can occur where typical biopsy changes diagnostic of coeliac disease are not present (probably "latent coeliacs"). Thui another explanation of Sheehan and Hillary's finding could be that the mothers, being lrish, had coeliac disease or gluten/ alpha-gliadin sensitivity (and latent coeliac disease if bowel biopsy is normal) as the cause of the meiotic non-dysjunction as a alpha-gliadin sensitivity/coeliac disease is not uncommon in lreland' Recommendations for Research what now needs to be done to strongly support the above is: (1) Identifu a group of male and female Down's syndrome patients with alphagliadin/gluten sensitivity + coeliac disease on bowel biopsy. (2)-Study the parents for alpha-gliadin/gluten sensitivity + coeliac disease on bowel biopsy. (3) Idiniify those parents clearly with -gliadin/gluten sensitivity etc . . . and those that do not have the above, and finally
Correspondence address:
Pacific Medical Centre A.P.O. Box 587 Dee Why 2033, Australia
Received

Mach 21, 1984 Accepted Apnl 10' 1984.

,Presented at th 13th Annual McCanison Sciety Meeting, St. Hugh's College, Oxford Univrsity, England, September 24, 1983.

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Links between Down's Syndrome, Lymphoma/Leukemia, Alzhelmer's Disease and Older Mothers and Fathers.

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Older Father with missed Coeliac Disease or Gluten/ -Gliadin Sensitivity Disturbed Hypothalamo-

Older Mother and Risk for Coeliac Disease (or Latent) Older Mother

Pituitary Regulation of
Gonadal
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Abnormal Oocytic Maturation (1)lcAMP due to low 81, biotin, Ca and PGE, (2) +PGE, due to low PGE, due to low Vit C, 86, 83, Zn, Mn, Mg + suppression of PGEr by gluten, -gliadin, other prolamin fractions or exorphins with opiate
activity. (1) & (2) ? results in meiotic non-disjunction and Trisomy 21 (DS).

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lnt J Biosocial Reseqrch

(a) Normal Meiosis.

Vol.6 (7):62-65,1984
PGE' Series

LH

Adequate 86, 83 Vit C, Mg, Mn,

Zinc
PGE,

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cAMP

Normal Meiosis

(b) Abnormal Meiosis.' (1)

IPGE'
IPGE'

Series due to exorphins of wheat/ grains, dairy products. Series due to low Vit C, 83, 86, Mg, Mn & Zinc (as in

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low calcium. Low PGEt can MAKE cAMP low.

? Opioid peptides (exorphins) can depress PGE, and

Trisomy 21
(DS)

thus cAMP.

' lf the mther or father of a DS child has celiac disase, they could haw low 81, 83, 86, Vit C., Mg, Mn, zinc upsefting @genesis in the or spmatogmesis in the faths md resuit in Down s Syndrome.

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REFERENCES
1. 2.
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6.

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Shehan, P.M.E., Hillary, I.B. An Unusual Cluster of Babies With Down's Syndrome Bom to Fomer Pupils of an lrish Berding Schol. Br Md J, 287, 1428-29, 7983. Collman, R.D., Stoller, A., Notes on the Epidmiology of Mongolism in Victoria, Australia from 7942 lo 7957 . Praeedings of the Conference on Science and Mental Deficiency, 7, 517 , 7962. Hwel, S.J.L., Foster, K.J., Rckless, J., Protracted Survival in Patients With D@n's Syndrcme. Br. Med J, 287, 1429.30, 1983. Bendey, D. A Case of Drun's Slmdrcme Complicated by Retinoblastoma and Celiac Disase. Pediatrics, 56, 131 3, 1975. OTarelly, C., Kelly, J., Henkkens, W., Bradley, 8., Thompson, A., Feighery, C., Weir, D.G., Alpha-Gliadin Antibody Lwels: A Serologi@l Test fq Celiac Direase. Br Med J, 286, 2007 10, 1983. Haeney, M.R., Asquith, D., Inhibition of Leucdy'te Migration by Alpha Gliadin in Patients With Gastr@ntestimal Diseasq lt's Spci{icity With Resp4t to C@liac Disase and Alpha'Gliadin. In: McNicholl, B., McCarthy, C.F., Fottrell, P.F., Perspectives in celiac disease. Lancaster, MTP Press,229, 1978. O'Fuelly, C., Feighay, C., Greally, J., Weir, D.G., Cellula Respose toAlphaGliadin inUntreatedCoeliacDisease. Guq23,8387,7982. Rading, C.M., Relwane of Cytotoxic Test to Detect F@d Allagieslntolaance/Hypasdsitivity in Psychiatric Patients. Addrcss to Schizophrenia Assciation of Great Britian Coference, Recnt Trends in Biological Psychiatry, Apnl 22, L98l. Radlng, C.M., Dwn's Syndrome: Nutritional Interuention. Address to the 13th Annual Conferene: The McCanison Saiety 24th Septoba 1983. Nutrition ild Mental Health: The Unks Between Fod and Behaviour Nutr Health 3, (ln Press).