title: The role of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) risk is determined by environmental influences acting on the individual genetic background. Recent epidemiologic and experimental evidence supports a role of low environmental supplies of vitamin D in mediating an increased susceptibility to MS. We review available evidence suggesting that vitamin D status may influence MS risk and even modulate clinical disease activity. The level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D providing these effects remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of North Norway, Department of Neurology, P.O. Box 6060, 9038 Tromsø, Norway. margitta.kampman@unn.no
authors.forename: Margitta T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kampman
authors.forename: Linn H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Steffensen
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; C507799:HLA-DRB1*15 antigen; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D