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Review
. 2022 Dec 21;24(1):87.
doi: 10.3390/ijms24010087.

Vitamin D in Neurological Diseases

Domenico Plantone  1 , Guido Primiano  2   3 , Carlo Manco  1 , Sara Locci  1 , Serenella Servidei  2   3 , Nicola De Stefano  1
Affiliations
Review

Vitamin D in Neurological Diseases

Domenico Plantone et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Vitamin D may have multiple effects on the nervous system and its deficiency can represent a possible risk factor for the development of many neurological diseases. Recent studies are also trying to clarify the different effects of vitamin D supplementation over the course of progressive neurological diseases. In this narrative review, we summarise vitamin D chemistry, metabolism, mechanisms of action, and the recommended daily intake. The role of vitamin D on gene transcription and the immune response is also reviewed. Finally, we discuss the scientific evidence that links low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations to the onset and progression of severe neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, migraine, diabetic neuropathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Completed and ongoing clinical trials on vitamin D supplementation in neurological diseases are listed.

Keywords: gene transcription; inflammation; neurodegeneration; vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

D.P., G.P., C.M., S.L., S.S. declare no conflict of interest. N.D.S. is a consultant for Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, Roche, and Teva and is on the speakers’ bureaus of Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva. He has received travel funds from Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva and has grants pending from FISM. He is a co-founder of Siena-Imaging.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The effects of vitamin D on immune cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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