title: Vitamin D as a neurosteroid affecting the developing and adult brain.
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent throughout the world, and growing evidence supports a requirement for optimal vitamin D levels for the healthy developing and adult brain. Vitamin D has important roles in proliferation and differentiation, calcium signaling within the brain, and neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions; it may also alter neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Recent experimental studies highlight the impact that vitamin D deficiency has on brain function in health and disease. In addition, results from recent animal studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency during adulthood may exacerbate underlying brain disorders and/or worsen recovery from brain stressors. An increasing number of epidemiological studies indicate that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Vitamin D supplementation is readily available and affordable, and this review highlights the need for further research.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; email: t.burne@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Groves
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: Thomas H J
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Burne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008954:Models, Biological; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: animal models; behavior; brain development; neurochemistry; vitamin D