High levels of antibodies directed at gliadin increases psychoses in offspring

High levels of antibodies directed at gliadin has been found to increase nonaffective psychoses in offspring.

The maternal antibodies which are directed at a dietary antigen during pregnancy can increase the chance of schizophrenia and other nonaffective psychoses in offspring. Gliadin is a component of wheat gluten, and antibodies to this food antigen are often observed in persons with celiac disease.

A research team from Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, made the findings, which could lead to a change in dietary recommendations in pregnant women. If further trials confirm the results, a limitation of gluten-containing foods could be recommended to reduce their offspring's risk for psychosis.

Hakan Karlsson of the Institute in Stockholm led the research, with the team indentifying 211 patients who were diagnosed with such disorders in Sweden between 1987 and 2003. They used dried blood spots collected from the participant at birth, and assessed the levels of IgG directed at gliadin casein using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The team explained: "IgG is actively transported across the placenta during the later stages of pregnancy to provide passive immunization of the fetus, and hence such antibodies reflect maternal exposures and immune responses to specific antigens."

They found that levels of ntigliadin IgG above the 90th percentile of those observed in controls were linked with a notable increased risk for nonaffective psychosis. This risk increased for antigliadin IgG levels above the 95th percentile, at an OR of 2.5.

The association remained significant after controlling for maternal age, immigrant status, mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, ponderal index, and birth weight. However, levels of anticasein IgG were not linked with risk for nonaffective psychosis.

Mr Karlsson et al noted: "This is the first study to show an association between high levels of maternal antibodies directed at gliadin and the later development of nonaffective psychoses in offspring."

They conclude: "Future studies should focus on identifying the underlying mechanisms of this association in order to develop preventive strategies."

Posted by Neil Clark