1.
The Association between ADHD and Celiac Disease in Children.
Gaur, S
Children (Basel, Switzerland). 2022;9(6)
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Plain language summary
Untreated coeliac disease (CeD) can be accompanied by an array of neurological symptoms. Some of these symptoms are similar to those observed in attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), like an inability to focus, lack of mental alertness, physical under-activity and clinically measurable under-activity in particular brain regions. The mechanism of such symptoms is not fully understood but is thought to be linked to low-grade inflammation in the brain as a result of permeability in the gut and blood-brain barrier, which could contribute to the presentation of ADHD-like symptoms. CeD can persist for many years in seemingly healthy people (silent CeD) without gut symptoms. In this period, ADHD-like symptoms are particularly common and may be treatment resistant if not accompanied by a gluten-free diet Since 2015, there have been several studies showing an association between CeD and ADHD. This is an updated systematic review including 23 studies of children and young adults, which found an association between ADHD and CeD, in contrast to previous reviews that found no clear association. This review paid particular attention to the diagnostic criteria of ADHD and its subtypes, highlighting the need to examine the subtypes of ADHD in future studies. Specifically, the inattentive subtype may be a behavioural ADHD phenotype that could respond to a gluten-free diet. The authors advocate screening ADHD patients for CeD and encourage the consideration of non-neurological symptoms in the assessment of ADHD to identify potential CeD cases.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
- There is an association between celiac disease (CeD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
- Some children with ADHD may respond well to gluten-free diet.
Evidence Category:
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A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
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X
B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
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C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
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D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
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E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
This systematic review explored the association between coeliac disease (CeD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
Methods
The review was conducted following the PRISMA reporting guidelines.
Inclusion criteria for the search:
- Search terms of ADHD and CeD
- Participants < 18 years.
52 papers were retrieved and screened
23 met inclusion/exclusion criteria
Results
- 13 studies (out of the 23) demonstrated an association between ADHD and CeD
- Most studies reporting a positive association were published post 2015
- The largest study reported (112,240 patients with CeD) demonstrates that ADHD showed an association of OR = 1.75 in in CeD.
- The study was limited by several factors including study design of the studies included in the review, which were mostly observational and some without control.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
Clinical practice applications:
- Evidence from across the literature suggests that children with untreated or newly diagnosed CeD may find that following a gluten-free diet can help improve some symptoms associated with ADHD
- The author suggests that there may be a behavioural phenotype of ADHD that responds to a gluten-free diet. If this is the case, it suggests that screening of ADHD patients for celiac disease may be important.
Considerations for future research:
- The number of studies were relatively small and varied in design. Further large-scale studies would help further inform the understanding of the association and potential therapeutic benefits of gluten-free diet.
- It would be interesting to further explore how different subtypes of ADHD, especially the inattentive subtype, may be associated with CeD.
- In particular, it might be useful to consider how the clinical construct of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is associated, since SCT symptoms overlap with the neurological manifestations of CeD.
Abstract
UNLABELLED Controversy around the association between celiac disease (CeD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) was addressed by a systematic review in 2015, ultimately showing no association. Since 2015, there have been several studies showing an association between celiac disease and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. This is an updated systematic review. BACKGROUND Most experts agree on the recommendation to not screen as part of the standard of care for ADHD in persons with CeD or vice versa. Simultaneously, they propose that untreated patients with CeD and neurological symptoms such as chronic fatigue, inattention, pain, and headache could be predisposed to ADHD-like behavior, namely inattention (which may be alleviated by following a gluten-free diet). The inattentive subtype of ADHD that encompasses the symptoms of inattention is phenotypically heterogeneous, as it includes the clinical construct of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). SCT symptoms overlap with the neurological manifestations of CeD. METHODS A systematic search (PRISMA) of PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Web of Science, Stanford Lane, SCOPUS, and Ovid was conducted for articles up to 21 February 2022. Of these, 23 studies met the criteria. RESULTS Out of the 23 studies, 13 showed a positive association between ADHD and CeD. Most studies that showed a positive association had been published in the last five years. Inconsistencies in the results remain due to the heterogeneous methodology used, specifically for ADHD and the outcome questionnaires, as well as a lack of reporting on ADHD subtypes. CONCLUSION There is an association between ADHD and celiac disease. The current methodological limitations will be lessened if we examine the subtypes of ADHD.
2.
Towards Tailored Gut Microbiome-Based and Dietary Interventions for Promoting the Development and Maintenance of a Healthy Brain.
Larroya, A, Pantoja, J, CodoƱer-Franch, P, Cenit, MC
Frontiers in pediatrics. 2021;9:705859
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The cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is complex and multifactorial. Recent studies have indicated that early life disturbances of the gut microbiome can impact neurodevelopment, suggesting this critical window may play a key role in the prevention or progression of neurological disease. The growing field of personalized nutrition works on the basis of tailored dietary intervention strategies that consider individual variability based on genetics, diet, and the environment. The aim of this paper is to review the current evidence on the neurodevelopmental interaction between the gut microbiota, environment and host, and assess the efficacy of tailored, personalized nutrition interventions aimed at preventing or treating NDDs. The literature provides evidence that the gut microbiota is susceptible to influence by various factors early in life, and the health of the microbiome may modulate mental health consequences later in life. Additionally, key nutritional deficiencies and microbiome alterations have been linked to NDDs, suggesting potential markers that may lead to improved prevention and treatment. Based on the current literature, the authors emphasize the need for further research during the critical window of microbiome development in order to target the cause of neurodevelopmental impairments. They suggest these findings could help progress the field of Nutritional Psychiatry towards effective tailored nutrition and personalized medicine.
Abstract
Mental health is determined by a complex interplay between the Neurological Exposome and the Human Genome. Multiple genetic and non-genetic (exposome) factors interact early in life, modulating the risk of developing the most common complex neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), with potential long-term consequences on health. To date, the understating of the precise etiology underpinning these neurological alterations, and their clinical management pose a challenge. The crucial role played by diet and gut microbiota in brain development and functioning would indicate that modulating the gut-brain axis may help protect against the onset and progression of mental-health disorders. Some nutritional deficiencies and gut microbiota alterations have been linked to NDDs, suggesting their potential pathogenic implications. In addition, certain dietary interventions have emerged as promising alternatives or adjuvant strategies for improving the management of particular NDDs, at least in particular subsets of subjects. The gut microbiota can be a key to mediating the effects of other exposome factors such as diet on mental health, and ongoing research in Psychiatry and Neuropediatrics is developing Precision Nutrition Models to classify subjects according to a diet response prediction based on specific individual features, including microbiome signatures. Here, we review current scientific evidence for the impact of early life environmental factors, including diet, on gut microbiota and neuro-development, emphasizing the potential long-term consequences on health; and also summarize the state of the art regarding the mechanisms underlying diet and gut microbiota influence on the brain-gut axis. Furthermore, we describe the evidence supporting the key role played by gut microbiota, diet and nutrition in neurodevelopment, as well as the effectiveness of certain dietary and microbiome-based interventions aimed at preventing or treating NDDs. Finally, we emphasize the need for further research to gain greater insight into the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiome and brain development. Such knowledge would help towards achieving tailored integrative treatments, including personalized nutrition.