title: Can vitamin D delay the progression of ALS?
abstract: The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is multifactorial and a treatment targeting only one aspect of the disease is unlikely to be beneficial. Vitamin D is safe and may delay progression of ALS by acting on several aspects of the disease. In this article we explore how vitamin D may promote VGEF, IGF-1 and axonal regeneration delaying ALS progression. In addition, we discuss how vitamin D may increase calcium binding protein in motor neuron cells conferring a greater resistance to the underlying disease process, as seen in the oculomotor nerve and Onuf's nucleus. Finally, we discuss vitamin D immunomodulator role, decreasing the reactive gliosis in ALS.
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, 10 Union Square East, New York, NY 10003, USA. chafickaram@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Chafic
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.forename: Stephen N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Scelsa
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D005911:Gliosis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium