Cognitive Deficit and White Matter Changes in Persons With Celiac Disease: A Population-Based Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder.
• Debate exists regarding the prevalence of brain injury in celiac disease patients.
• Previous reports suggest neuropsychological dysfunction in celiac disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of neuropsychological dysfunction in celiac disease patients.
• To validate previous reports on brain injury in celiac disease.
• To analyze brain imaging data for neurological changes associated with celiac disease.

Main Methods:

• Utilized UK Biobank data from 104 celiac disease patients and 198 matched controls.
• Compared cognitive test scores and mental health questionnaire responses between groups.
• Analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain data, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and voxel-based morphometry.

Main Results:

• Celiac disease patients showed significant deficits in reaction time.
• Higher proportions of celiac patients reported anxiety, depression, self-harm thoughts, and unhappiness.
• Tract-based spatial statistics revealed increased axial diffusivity, indicating white matter changes in celiac disease patients' brains.

Conclusions:

• Celiac disease is associated with cognitive deficits.
• Celiac disease is linked to worsened mental health outcomes.
• Brain imaging confirms white matter changes in individuals with celiac disease, supporting neurological and psychological associations.