Vitamin D and the Brain: A Neuropsychiatric Perspective

Abstract

Based on clues from epidemiology, it has been proposed that low prenatal vitamin D may be a risk factor for schizophrenia. In order to explore this hypothesis, our group has undertaken an integrated research program linking analytic epidemiology and rodent experiments. There is consistent evidence from rodents that offspring exposed to low developmental vitamin D deficiency have altered brain structure and function as adults. This chapter provides a concise summary of the evidence linking vitamin D to brain development and function. In addition, the epidemiological evidence linking hypovitaminosis D and various neuropsychiatric disorders is outlined.