The Role of Vitamin D in the Development/Worseage of Mood Disorders, With a Focus on Bipolar Affective Disorder and Depression

Abstract

Purpose: examine the literature on the role of vitamin D in the evolution and exacerbation of mood disorders, with a focus on bipolar and depressive disorders. Methodology: Literature review in the PubMed database. Through the following search strategy: vitamin D AND (bipolar disorder OR mood disorders). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were selected to compose the collection of this study. Results: Vitamin D plays two main roles in the body. The first is related to the regulation of the immune system, where it suppresses the production of proinflammatory cytokines and increases levels of anti-inflammatory ones. This role is relevant in the context of bipolar disorder, which is associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. The second paper focuses on the mechanisms linked to depression, specifically in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In this context, vitamin D acts as an antagonist of glucocorticoids, which are excessively active in these disorders. Furthermore, there is evidence that vitamin D can also regulate the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus. Final considerations: Vitamin D plays a significant role in the evolution and exacerbation of disorders, being essential for the proper functioning of the central nervous system and for the regulation of the immune system.