Unlocking the Mysteries of Gluten Sensitivity

Cognitive Complications and Mood Disorders: How Wheat Harms the Brain

Time and Place

March 12, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

St. Ambrose Church
7520 South Boulder Road
Boulder, Colorado 80303

Map

Registration

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Thomas O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DABCN

March 12, 2009

The notion that wheat and gluten sensitivities are solely or exclusively a gastrointestinal condition is a historical misconception. Numerous systems of the body outside of the GI tract have been identified as “target organs” for autoimmune response to wheat or gluten ingestion in sensitive individuals. The brain and nervous system is particularly vulnerable. For example:

Emerging findings suggest that dietary factors play major roles in determining whether the brain ages successfully or experiences a Neurodegenerative disease (1)
73% of Celiac patients have clinically diagnosed Trait Anxiety Disorder and 63% have Depression (2)
All children clinically diagnosed with ADHD or their parents report a significant improvement in their behavior and functioning after 6 months on a gluten-free diet (3)
70% of unrelenting migraines were completely relieved on a gluten-free diet (4)
In young adults with unrecognized, silent Gluten Intolerance, scholastic attainment and professional achievement was 400% less likely (5)
50% of children with drug-resistant epilepsy successfully achieve remission on a gluten-free diet (6)
57% of those with undiagnosed neurologic diseases were found to have elevated antibodies to gliadin as a marker of gluten sensitivity (7)

This presentation will outline the historical development of our understanding of this condition and focus on both its neurological and cognitive manifestations, and effective treatments.

This presentation will give attendees an understanding and appreciation of:

The incident frequency of Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease (CD)
The diversity of non-gastrointestinal effects of wheat and Gluten Sensitivity with a specific focus on the Brain and Cognitive Function

The learning objectives are for attendees to:

Recognize the history and incident frequency of Gluten Sensitivity and CD
Recognize the likelihood of Gluten Sensitivity and CD being associated with various Neurological and
Cognitive Complications
Understand the physiology by which Gluten Sensitivity and CD may impact on the Brain, Mood Disorders and
Cognition
Become familiar with the effectiveness of treatment for cognitive and mood disorders associated with
Gluten Sensitivity and CD
Recognize the importance of early testing and follow-up monitoring of Gluten Sensitivity and CD

Notes

National Institute on Aging, Annals of Internal Medicine,Vol.139,no.5 2003, 441-444
American Journal of Medicine Volume 116, March 1, 2004
Journal of Attention Disorders, March 2006, 1-5
Neurology, Vol. 56/No. 3, Feb.13, 2001
Scan.J.Gastro,2005;40:1407-1412
Lancet 1992 Aug 22;340(8817):439-43
PEDIATRICS Vol. 108 No. 2 August 2001

About the Presenter

Dr. Thomas O’Bryan is a nationally recognized speaker and workshop leader specializing in celiac disease and gluten intolerance, and a clinician par excellence in treating chronic disease and metabolic disorders from a Functional Medicine perspective. His expertise in finding the root cause of the malady or syndrome sets him apart.

A graduate of the University of Michigan and the National College of Chiropractic, Dr. O’Bryan is a Diplomat of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, a Diplomat of the American Board of Clinical Nutrition, and a Certified Clinical Nutritionist with the International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists. He is a Certified Applied Kinesiologist. He is a Certified Practitioner in Functional Biomechanics from the Motion Palpation Institute. He is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, the International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists, the American Chiropractic Association, and numerous other professional organizations.

Dr. O’Bryan has been a visiting Instructor at Northeastern Illinois University where he taught Applied Nutrition For Health and Performance. Currently, he holds Adjunct Faculty positions with the Institute for Functional Medicine and the National University of Life Sciences. He is the Vice-President of the Illinois Chapter of the International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists. He is listed in “Who’s Who in International Medicine” and the International Directory of Distinguished Leadership For Excellence in Education.

To learn more about Dr. O’Bryan’s approach to medicine, visit his web page at www.theDr.com.