Vitamin D Deficiency and Cognitive Dysfunction.
10.12779/dnd.2012.11.4.111
- Author:
Yeonsil MOON
1
;
Seol Heui HAN
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. alzdoc@kuh.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Vitamin D deficiency;
Cognition;
Alzheimer's disease (AD)
- MeSH:
Autoimmune Diseases;
Brain;
Cardiovascular Diseases;
Cholecalciferol;
Cognition;
Communicable Diseases;
Dementia;
Humans;
Kidney;
Liver;
Receptors, Calcitriol;
Vitamin D;
Vitamin D Deficiency;
Vitamins
- From:Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
2012;11(4):111-117
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Vitamin D is not a true vitamin but a fat-soluble steroid prohormone that has long been known for its important and diverse role in the biological system. Many studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency is linked with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, type II diabetes and infectious diseases. Vitamin D3 is transformed to its active form, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, through metabolisms in the liver and kidney. 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 interacts with its vitamin D receptor, and the brain is now known to have vitamin D receptors and 1alpha-hydroxylase. Several lines of evidences suggest vitamin D deficiency is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, however, its position in cognitive function is still in its infancy. Vitamin D deficiency is a reversible condition and can be easily treated with supplements. Randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in patients with neurodegenerative conditions are needed.
