Coeliac disease, epilepsy, and cerebral calcifications: association with TG6 autoantibodies

Abstract

A 4-year-old boy presented with occipital seizures but normal initial neuroimaging and proved refractory to antiepileptic medications. On repeat neuroimaging after 1 year, he had developed bi-occipital calcification and was then found to have positive coeliac serology. He was diagnosed with coeliac disease, epilepsy, and cerebral calcifications (CEC) and became seizure free after starting the gluten-free diet. Positive antibody binding to neurons and glia was demonstrated on indirect immunofluorescence. High levels of immunoglobulin-A directed against transglutaminase isoenzyme 6 (TG6) were found in the patient's serum. The positive response to the diet, TG6 antibodies, and neuronal antibody binding suggest that CEC might be autoimmune in nature, as in other extra-intestinal manifestations of gluten-related diseases, such as gluten ataxia.