Discover the crucial link between vitamin D and brain function, including its impact on synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases. Explore the latest research on vitamin D's role in brain development and its potential to improve symptoms of certain diseases.
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[...] Nevertheless, despite many promising results, the development of drug strategies based on metabolites or analogues of vitamin D remains limited due to low bioavailability and their hypercalcemic actions. However, the 3?-epimer (diastereoisomers) of 25-(OH)2-D3 generates a much higher rate of metabolites, reduced calcemic effects, and better stability. These results would place vitamin D analogues in the group as the best candidates in treatment strategies. The evaluation of their activity in vitro has given encouraging results leading to a pronounced reduction in cell density by inducing apoptosis32. [...]
[...] Indeed, monotherapy with vitamin D reduces inflammation and neuronal lesions independently. Indeed, it has been shown that in the case of vitamin D deficiency, the inflammatory response in the event of injury would be exacerbated22. In addition, progesterone as well as vitamin D would also play a neuroprotective role. However, these two hormones would have different signaling pathways. Therefore, their simultaneous administration in the event of brain injuries or pathologies is feasible, being relatively inexpensive and approved by health authorities.23. [...]
[...] This would thus show a role of vitamin D in the proliferation and/or differentiation of neurons from stem cells8. In addition, as we have previously mentioned, VDR can be found at the level of the hippocampus, cortex, or limbic system, which could highlight the functional role of vitamin D in the regulation of learning and memory, as well as cognitive functions9. They are also found in the olfactory, visual, and auditory domains of the brain, which could show the involvement of vitamin D in the somatosensory system10. [...]
[...] However, the results obtained remain controversial. In fact, it is difficult to determine with precision the adapted dosage to optimize the therapeutic profile. Thus, to calculate the necessary vitamin D supplementation, it is essential to take into account the patient's blood vitamin D level and their individual capacity to respond to vitamin D supplementation. In fact, factors such as body fat and VDR genotypes could modify the ability to respond to supplementation. This could explain the variability of responses in different clinical trials. [...]
[...] Consequently, vitamin D supplementation has been suggested as an alternative treatment for patients with epilepsy. In addition, studies have sought to show the signaling pathway of vitamin D in patients with epilepsy. To do this, it is possible to study the expression of the VDR gene and the genes encoding the vitamin D activation enzyme, namely ?-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and the deactivation enzyme 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) in the serum of patients with epilepsy and healthy individuals. In patients with epilepsy, a negative regulation of VDR expression in peripheral blood can be observed compared to healthy subjects. [...]
