Author
BUELL, JENNIFER - TUFTS UNIVERSITY | |
Dawson-Hughes, Bess |
Submitted to: Molecular Aspects of Medicine
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2008 Publication Date: 12/1/2008 Citation: Buell, J., Dawson-Hughes, B. 2008. Vitamin D and Neurocognitive Dysfunction: Preventing "D"ecline?. Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 29:415-422. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Epidemiologic investigations have revealed a beneficial role of vitamin D in bone health, muscle function, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and cancer prevention. More recently, studies have suggested a potential beneficial role of vitamin D in cognitive function. The vitamin D receptor and catalytic enzymes are located in the areas of the brain involved in complex planning, processing, and the formation of new memories. Vitamin D may help to protect against cognitive deterioration and several types of dementia, specifically, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we discuss current evidence for the presence of metabolic pathways for vitamin D in the brain, review the biological plausibility of a role for vitamin D in neuronal health, and discuss new evidence of a link between vitamin D, cognitive function, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia in elders. |