Cerebellar Symptoms in Gluten Sensitivity: a Systematic Review of the Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on Brain Imaging

Abstract

Cerebellar manifestations have been described in patients with gluten sensitivity (GS)-related disorders. A better understanding of the neurological manifestations of GS requires the use of neuroimaging techniques. We performed a systematic review on neuroimaging findings in GS patients with cerebellar symptoms. We also included a specific search on neuroimaging findings in GS patients with cerebellar manifestations on a gluten-free diet (GFD). PubMed, Embase, and Bireme were systematically searched to identify studies assessing neuroimaging features of adults with cerebellar manifestations and GS with or without enteropathy on a GFD. Ten studies with a total of 222 adult-GS patients were included. Magnetic resonance imaging was used in 100% of the studies. Cerebellar atrophy was evaluated in 7 studies and observed in 63% of the patients. White matter abnormalities were described in 2 studies. Single-photon emission computed tomography was used in 2 studies, and decreased cerebellar perfusion was detected in 92% of the included patients. No study employed nuclear medicine after the start of GFD. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was performed in 2 studies before and after GFD. An increase in the Naa/Cr ratio in cerebellar vermis was seen in 98% of the cases on a strict GFD. Cerebellar atrophy was found to be a prevalent condition in GS patients. MRS demonstrated to be useful in the follow-up of GS patients with cerebellar manifestations on a GFD. Prospective studies using nuclear medicine imaging are needed to study brain changes in GS patients on a GFD.

Keywords: Cerebellar symptoms; Gluten sensitivity; Gluten-free diet; Neuroimaging.