title: Prevention and treatment of MS: studying the effects of vitamin D.
abstract: Observational studies suggest that adequate vitamin D nutrition may reduce the risk of MS and affect the course of the disease. Inherent limitations in these studies, however, preclude a causal interpretation. Randomized controlled clinical trials are the next step to addressing whether vitamin D prevents MS or can favorably affect the course and progression of MS. Here we briefly review the current literature on vitamin D and MS, both as a risk factor and potential treatment for MS with a focus on the issues and challenges in designing prevention and treatment clinical trials.
authors: Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. kgorham@hsph.harvard.edu
authors: Kassandra L
authors: KL
authors: Munger
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Ascherio
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D