Open AccessVitamin D: Brain and Behavior
Author(s) -
Eyles Darryl Walter
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jbmr plus
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2473-4039
DOI - 10.1002/jbm4.10419
Subject(s) - vitamin d and neurology , neuroactive steroid , vitamin d deficiency , neuroprotection , brain development , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , autism , neuroscience , vitamin , psychology , physiology , medicine , bioinformatics , biology , developmental psychology , psychiatry , endocrinology , receptor , gabaa receptor
It has been 20 years since we first proposed vitamin D as a “possible” neurosteroid. ( 1 ) Our work over the last two decades, particularly results from our cellular and animal models, has confirmed the numerous ways in which vitamin D differentiates the developing brain. As a result, vitamin D can now confidently take its place among all other steroids known to regulate brain development. ( 2 ) Others have concentrated on the possible neuroprotective functions of vitamin D in adult brains. Here these data are integrated, and possible mechanisms outlined for the various roles vitamin D appears to play in both developing and mature brains and how such actions shape behavior. There is now also good evidence linking gestational and/or neonatal vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism, and adult vitamin D deficiency with certain degenerative conditions. In this mini‐review, the focus is on what we have learned over these past 20 years regarding the genomic and nongenomic actions of vitamin D in shaping brain development, neurophysiology, and behavior in animal models. © 2020 The Author. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.