The information presented here is to be used under the supervision
of a medical practitioner who is licensed to practice in your state. Accordingly,
you and your medical practitioner must take the responsibility for the
uses made of this material.
Gliadorphin (or gluteomorphin) is a peptide derived from the wheat protein
gluten. Other related grains such as rye, barley and oats also contain
the sequence of amino acids found in gluten. Gliadorphin is very similar
to casomorphin. Gliadorphin has been verified by mass spectrometry techniques
to be present in urine samples of children with autism.
Both casomorphin and gliadorphin are composed of seven amino acids, which
are abbreviated below. Both caseomorphin and gliadorphin start with the
beginning N-terminal sequence tyr-pro (for tyrosine and proline) and the
additional pro (proline) in positions 4 and 6 of both peptides, as indicated
below.
Casomorphin (or casomorphin) is a peptide derived from the milk protein
casein. Casein is one of the major proteins in the mild of all mammals
including cows, goats and humans.
Dr. Reichelt in Norway, Dr. Cade at the University of Florida, and others
found that urine samples from people with autism,
PDD, celiac disease and schizophrenia contained high amounts of the
casomorphin peptide in the urine. We suspect that these peptides may also
be elevated in other disorders such as chronic
fatigue, fibromyalgia and depression based on anecdotal reports of
symptom remission after exclusion of wheat and dairy.
The peptides from gluten and casein are important because the react with
opiate receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiate drugs
like heroin and morphine. These compounds have been shown to react with
areas of the brain such as the temporal lobes, which are involved in speech
and auditory integration.
Children with autism frequently seem addicted
to wheat and dairy products. Presumably, people with Autism and schizophrenia
incompletely digest wheat and dairy products. These incompletely digested
peptides are then absorbed into the body and bind ot opiate receptors,
altering behavior and other physiological reactions.
Dohan, F.C. "Schizophrenia: possible relationship to cereal
grains and celiac disease. In: S. Sankar, ed, Schizophrenia: Current
Concepts and Research. PJD Publications, Hicksville, NY, 1969
Page 539.
Dohan, F. C. "The possible pathogenic effect of cereal grains
in schizophrenia--Celiac disease as a model." Acta Neurol. 31:195,
1976.
Dohan, F. C. et al. "Relapsed schizophrenics. More rapid improvement
on a milk and cereal-free diet." Br. J. Psychiatry 115:595, 1969.
Kinivsberg, A. et al. "Dietary Intervention in Autistic Syndromes."
Brain Dysfunction 3: 315-327, 1990.
Reichelt K. et al. "Gluten, mil proteins and autism: dietary
intervention effects on behavior and peptide secretions." Journ
of Applied Nutrition 42:1-11, 1990.
Reichelt K. et al. "Biologically active peptide-containing
fractions in schizophrenia and childhood autism." Adv Biochem
Psychopharmacol 28:627-47, 1981.
