ABSTRACT

Many peptides and low concentrations of proteins are taken up intact and bioactive from the gut. Defects in their break down would cause accumulation. This accumulation is proposed to be eatiological in schizophrenia and autism both. This hypothesis is strengthened by finding bovine casomorphins and gluten and gliadin derived opioids in the urine of patients with schizophrenia and also in autism. Furthermore IgA antibody increases against gliadin, gluten and casein point to a similar explanation. Therefore the genetic disposition must be defects in peptidases and different ones in different families.