Review: the role of vitamin D in nervous system health and disease

Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 2013 Aug;39(5):458-84. doi: 10.1111/nan.12020.

Abstract

Vitamin D and its metabolites have pleomorphic roles in both nervous system health and disease. Animal models have been paramount in contributing to our knowledge and understanding of the consequences of vitamin D deficiency on brain development and its implications for adult psychiatric and neurological diseases. The conflation of in vitro, ex vivo, and animal model data provide compelling evidence that vitamin D has a crucial role in proliferation, differentiation, neurotrophism, neuroprotection, neurotransmission, and neuroplasticity. Vitamin D exerts its biological function not only by influencing cellular processes directly, but also by influencing gene expression through vitamin D response elements. This review highlights the epidemiological, neuropathological, experimental and molecular genetic evidence implicating vitamin D as a candidate in influencing susceptibility to a number of psychiatric and neurological diseases. The strength of evidence varies for schizophrenia, autism, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and is especially strong for multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; autism; multiple sclerosis; schizophrenia; vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism*
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Vitamin D / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / metabolism
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / physiopathology

Substances

  • Vitamin D