Vitamin D as a Neurosteroid Affecting the Developing and Adult Brain

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent throughout the world, and growing evidence supports a requirement for optimal vitamin D levels for the healthy developing and adult brain. Vitamin D has important roles in proliferation and differentiation, calcium signaling within the brain, and neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions; it may also alter neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Recent experimental studies highlight the impact that vitamin D deficiency has on brain function in health and disease. In addition, results from recent animal studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency during adulthood may exacerbate underlying brain disorders and/or worsen recovery from brain stressors. An increasing number of epidemiological studies indicate that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Vitamin D supplementation is readily available and affordable, and this review highlights the need for further research.

Vitamin D<sub>3</sub> Receptor Activation Rescued Corticostriatal Neural Activity and Improved Motor Function in –D<sub>2</sub>R Tardive Dyskinesia Mice Model

“…Similarly, VD 3 deficiency has been linked to the cause and progression of various movement disorders [21]; including PD. By virtue to its role in radical detoxification, calcium-related signaling and general brain health, VD 3 depicts a potential therapeutic target in reducing dyskinetic symptoms similar to the effects Vitamin E [22] [23]. In support of this hypothesis, 7 days of VD 3 RA intervention in the dyskinetic mice reduced Ol and Li AIMs, and was associated with an overall improvement in motor function when compared with the untreated dyskinetic mice (-D 2 ) (Figure 3(a) and Figure 3(b), Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b)).…”

Vitamin D and mental health – the scrutiny of science delivers a sober message

“…If the research community believe that vitamin D is a candidate risk factor for disorders of interest, then these hypotheses need to be subjected to the scrutiny of science. This is now happening at a remarkable pace; in fact, it is hard to keep up with the amount of research linking vitamin D and brain outcomes (2,3).…”

Editorial focused issue ‘The role of nutrition in child and adolescent onset mental disorders’

“…As vitamin D amounts of the developing fetus are dependent on maternal stores, maternal vitamin D deficiency is of great concern for its consequences in the offspring. Maternal vitamin D performs a number of biological functions that are fundamental to early brain development [4], including proliferation and differentiation of brain cells [5], regulation of axonal growth [6], calcium signaling within the brain, and neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions [6]. These results may suggest that appropriate supplementation of vitamin D during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of behavioral difficulties and ADHD-like symptoms later in life in the offspring.…”