Adult vitamin D deficiency and adverse brain outcomes

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent throughout the world, and growing evidence supports a requirement for optimal vitamin D levels for healthy brain function. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, there is a growing body of animal experiments and in vitro studies that provide important insights into mechanisms of action linking vitamin D and adverse brain outcomes. In this chapter, we will focus on clinical studies that provide links between vitamin D deficiency and brain outcomes in adults. We also present an overview from preclinical studies on rodents, in which vitamin D deficiency during adulthood may exacerbate underlying brain disorders and/or worsen recovery from brain stressors. Vitamin D supplementation is readily available and affordable, and this review highlights the need for further research