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Vitamin D as a Modulator of Neuroinflammation: Implications for Brain Health.

Current pharmaceutical design
January 1, 2024
Sebastián García Menéndez et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman StudyMolecular Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to explore the role of vitamin D in modulating neuroinflammation and its potential therapeutic effects on neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

Results Summary

The study found that vitamin D regulates inflammatory mediators and antioxidants, offering neuroprotective effects, and may slow neurodegenerative disease progression and improve psychiatric conditions. Clinical and preclinical evidence links vitamin D deficiency to increased risks of disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and depression.

Population

Patients with neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's) and psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, schizophrenia).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (13)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
vitamin D
decrease
proinflammatory cytokines and antioxidants
preclinical and clinical studies
-
may influence the production of
#1
vitamin D
decrease
neuronal damage
preclinical and clinical studies
-
potentially mitigating the cascade of events leading to
#2
vitamin D deficiency
increase
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and depression
clinical research
-
identified as a common thread in the increased risks of
#3
vitamin D
decrease
inflammatory mediators
preclinical models
-
regulatory capacity over
#4
vitamin D
decrease
neuronal apoptosis
preclinical models
-
protective role against
#5
vitamin D
increase
neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity
preclinical models
-
contribution to
#6
vitamin D supplementation
decrease
slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases
patients suffering from psychiatric conditions
-
potential of
#7
vitamin D supplementation
increase
improving the quality of life
patients suffering from psychiatric conditions
-
potential of
#8
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
decrease
neuroinflammation
brain cells such as astrocytes and microglia
-
emerges as a regulator of
#9
vitamin D
neutral
immune function
brain cells such as astrocytes and microglia
-
modulates
#10
vitamin D
decrease
inflammatory mediators and antioxidants
-
-
adjusts
#11
vitamin D
increase
neurotransmitter synthesis and brain plasticity
-
-
impacts
#12
vitamin D
neutral
intestinal microbiota and serotonin synthesis
-
-
role in
#13
Abstract

Neuroinflammation represents a critical immune response within the brain, playing a pivotal role in defense against injury and infection. However, when this response becomes chronic, it can contribute to the development of various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. This bibliographic review delves into the role of vitamin D in modulating neuroinflammation and its implications for brain health, particularly in the context of neurological and psychiatric disorders. While vitamin D is traditionally associated with calcium homeostasis and bone health, it also exerts immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects within the central nervous system. Through comprehensive analysis of preclinical and clinical studies, we uncover how vitamin D, acting through its receptors in glial cells, may influence the production of proinflammatory cytokines and antioxidants, potentially mitigating the cascade of events leading to neuronal damage. Clinical research has identified vitamin D deficiency as a common thread in the increased risks of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and depression, among others. Furthermore, preclinical models suggest vitamin D's regulatory capacity over inflammatory mediators, its protective role against neuronal apoptosis, and its contribution to neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. These insights underscore the potential of vitamin D supplementation not only in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases but also in improving the quality of life for patients suffering from psychiatric conditions. Future clinical studies are essential to validate these findings and further our understanding of vitamin D's capacity to prevent or alleviate symptoms, opening new avenues for therapeutic strategies against neuroinflammation-related pathologies. Neuroinflammation is a crucial immune response in the brain against injuries or infections, but its persistence can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and depression. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) emerges as a regulator of neuroinflammation, present in brain cells such as astrocytes and microglia, modulating immune function. Vitamin D's mechanisms of action include cytokine modulation and regulation of nuclear and mitochondrial genes. It adjusts inflammatory mediators and antioxidants, resulting in neuroprotective effects. Additionally, vitamin D impacts neurotransmitter synthesis and brain plasticity. This positions vitamin D as a potential adjunct in treating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Lastly, its role in intestinal microbiota and serotonin synthesis contributes to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression. Thus, vitamin D presents a novel therapeutic approach for neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric diseases.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansVitamin DBrainAnimalsNeuroinflammatory DiseasesNeurodegenerative Diseases
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality78/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations11
Citations/Year11.0
Relative Citation Ratio5.01
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.50
Normalized Score0.70
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