Leaky Gut - Brain Barrier and Depression

[Chemar]

There is now evidence that major depression (MDD) is accompanied by an activation of the inflammatory response system (IRS) and that pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysacharide (LPS) may induce depressive symptoms.

 

Here is the PubMed abstract:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18283240

[kim]

This one is interesting too

 

http://www.ediver.be/ediver/latest%20news/...catabolites.pdf

 

The immune effects of TRYCATs (tryptophan

catabolites along the IDO pathway): relevance for

depression – and other conditions characterized

by tryptophan depletion induced by inflammation

[Caryn]

Here is a study that connects OCD to untreated celiac disease:

 

http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/43/4/331

 

The mechanisms involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of mental and behavioral disorders related to CD are unclear. Hallert and Sedvall6 reported an increase of 33% in major monoamine metabolite (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5-HIAA], homovanillic acid, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol) concentrations and a 10% increase in the concentration of tryptophan in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in adult CD patients after 1 year on a gluten-free diet. Hernanz and Polanco7 found significantly decreased plasma concentrations of tryptophan, citrulline, tyrosine, valine, isoleucine, and leucine and significantly diminished ratios of tryptophan to large neutral amino acids in children with CD, regardless of dietary treatment. In untreated children, plasma tryptophan was 84% less (mean±SD=13±4 µmol/L) and in the treated group 62% less (31±3 µmol/L) than in children without CD (81±22 µmol/L), and the plasma tryptophan ratio was found to be significantly lower in the untreated group compared with the treated and control groups. Nine of 15 children with untreated CD showed signs of "behavioral disturbances" and were irritable or apathetic. In some of these patients, mood and behavioral problems improved after starting a gluten-free diet. However, to our knowledge, these findings have not been confirmed elsewhere.

 

To our knowledge, there are no studies based on structured psychiatric interviews that have examined mental disorders associated with CD in children and adolescents. We describe two adolescent patients who suffered from severe mental and behavioral disorders before receiving a CD diagnosis. In both cases, psychiatric status considerably improved soon after the commencement of a gluten-free diet.

 

Caryn