Vitamin D and the central nervous system.

Vitamin D is formed in human epithelial cells via photochemical synthesis and is also acquired from dietary sources. The so-called classical effect of this vitamin involves the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Apart from this, non-classical effects of vitamin D have recently gained renewed attention. One important yet little known of the numerous functions of vitamin D is the regulation of nervous system development and function. The neuroprotective effect of vitamin D is associated with its influence on neurotrophin production and release, neuromediator synthesis, intracellular calcium homeostasis, and prevention of oxidative damage to nervous tissue. Clinical studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may lead to an increased risk of disease of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis. Adequate intake of vitamin D during pregnancy and the neonatal period seems to be crucial in terms of prevention of these diseases.

Citation

Małgorzata Wrzosek, Jacek Łukaszkiewicz, Michał Wrzosek, Andrzej Jakubczyk, Halina Matsumoto, Paweł Piątkiewicz, Maria Radziwoń-Zaleska, Marcin Wojnar, Grażyna Nowicka. Vitamin D and the central nervous system. Pharmacological reports : PR. 2013;65(2):271-8

PMID: 23744412

search → result