IMPACT OF VITAMIN D ON NEUROCOGNITIVE FUNCTIONING

Leema Lobo*, Kishore N. and Dr. Manjari Sharma

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D plays a significant role in maintaining bone health by exerting its effect over homeostasis of calcium. Apart from this, vitamin D also has established its role in neurocognitive functioning. Vitamin D receptors are widely distributed in brain tissue, the biological active form of vitamin D has neuroprotective effects including amyloid peptide clearance, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and potential defense against dementia related neurodegenerative pathways. Apart from reduced vitamin use, disturbed signaling and polymorphism in multiple associated genes, such as the vitamin D receptor increases the risk of AD or AD like neurodegeneration. Through antioxidative mechanisms, neuronal calcium control, immune system regulation, improved transmission of impulses, and detoxification mechanisms, vitamin D demonstrates functional characteristics that may prove its neuroprotective effects. This review encompasses the co-relation of vitamin D on the neurocognition and optimal brain health. This review also aims to examines the connection between gene-environmental effect and chronic vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for developing sporadic AD, as well as the function and justification of vitamin D therapy studies. The discussion of this article provides the most recent findings of vitamin D and its therapeutic implications for older people including effects on the prognosis and course of dementia.

Keywords: Neurocognition, Vitamin D, Dementia, Alzheimer?s disease (AD), Brain signaling, cognitive, cognitive functioning, 25-hydroxyvitamin D., Aging.