Some of the world’s leading researchers on celiac disease gathered in Oslo, Norway last week to discuss recent findings and new initiatives in the gluten-free world. The 14th International Celiac Disease Symposium (June 20th to 22nd 2011) featured lectures and discussions of prominent celiac experts, including Dr. Alessio Fasano, Dr. David Sanders, and Dr. Carlo Catassi. Jacqueline Pante, Director of Nutritional Services at Dr. Schar, presided over the workshop.

One key advancement of the conference was in the field of gluten sensitivity. Until recently, gluten sensitivity has only been a loosely defined term associated with celiac disease. Findings from an international study however suggest that gluten sensitivity and celiac disease share less commonalities than previously thought. In the study, researchers were able to distinguish between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity on a molecular and immune level. This is an important step in recognizing the spectrum of gluten disorders that affect over 6% of the population. The study was conducted by the University of Maryland and the Seconda Università degli Studi Napoli, Italy.

In the Pre-Conference Workshop on gluten sensitivity, which was hosted by the Dr. Schar Institute, a consensus approach to further research and data collection was presented. This approach represents a major step towards a defining a diagnostic process for gluten sensitivity. It is based on findings from members of the first Consensus Conference on gluten sensitivity.

Both the conference and Schar’s pre-conference workshop testify a growing interest in the scientific community both for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity – a field that will surely become even more relevant in the future.