gluten calcium brain
© New England Journal of MedicineThe 'calcium stones' found in the brain of a Brazilian man suffering from headaches for several years

A Brazilian man who suffered from terrible headaches and vision problems was found to have 'calcium stones' in his brain.

The stones were due to him suffering from undiagnosed coeliac disease - an autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten.

Because of his symptoms of headaches and vision problems, the man had been treated for migraines but shown no signs of improvement.

It was only when he had a CT scan that the calcium stones - patches of calcification in the back of the man's brain - were detected in the area responsible for vision, LiveScience reports.

Tests showed fluid in the man's brain had antibodies associated with coeliac disease. The condition is caused by a reaction of the immune system to gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, their immune system reacts by damaging the lining of the small intestine, stopping the body from absorbing nutrients.

The case report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, backs up previous research that 60 per cent of coeliac patients also have neurological symptoms.

Other symptoms of the condition can include bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, wind, constipation, tiredness, headaches, mouth ulcers, sudden weight loss, hair loss, anaemia and osteoporosis.

Blood tests found the man had an iron deficiency and coeliac disease.

When he began eating a gluten-free diet, taking iron tablets and epilepsy drugs, his condition improved, it was reported.

The doctors treating the man, at the University of São Paulo, say it isn't clear how coeliac disease causes the stones to accumulate in the brain.

One theory is that an inability to absorb iron may be to blame.