Trial Information

Open Label Controlled Trial of Gluten-Free Diet in Patients With Gluten-Sensitivity and Cerebellar Ataxia

In many patients with cerebellar ataxia, the etiology is unknown. Sensitivity to gluten
(wheat protein) has been suggested as a cause for cerebellar ataxia even in the absence of
malabsorption symptoms or intestinal pathology. However, the prevalence of gluten
sensitivity in patients presenting with cerebellar ataxia is unknown and the effect of
gluten-free diet on gluten sensitivity-associated cerebellar ataxia has not been
systematically studied. The aim of this project is: 1) To identify gluten sensitive
cerebellar ataxia patients attending the Human Motor Control Clinic at the NIH using tests
for celiac disease antibodies as a screening method. 2) To conduct open-label controlled
clinical trial to assess the efficacy of gluten-free diet in the patients identified using a
detailed cerebellar ataxia scale as an objective clinical measure.