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Evidence for the Importance of Vitamin D Status in Neurologic Conditions

  • Neurologic Manifestations of Systemic Disease (A Pruitt, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Opinion statement

Vitamin D status has been proposed as relevant to many neurological disorders. Data suggest that vitamin D may be important for the development of the nervous system, and it also plays a role in neuroimmunology and neuroprotection. Lower levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D have been linked with increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and stroke have lower vitamin D levels than those without the diseases, it is unclear if this is because hypovitaminosis D contributes to disease risk or is a consequence of immobility and other factors caused by the disease. Lower levels of vitamin D have been associated with worse prognosis in MS, PD, ALS, and stroke, while no longitudinal studies have been performed to evaluate such an association in AD. Small pilot trials have been performed to evaluate vitamin D supplementation for some of these diseases, but there have been no phase III studies to support vitamin D supplementation in these patient populations; further, ideal levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are not known. Thus, while some expert panels or individuals have suggested routine testing and supplementation for patients with these neurological conditions, it is our opinion that there are currently insufficient data to support high-dose vitamin D supplementation to specifically treat or prevent these conditions.

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Conflict of Interest

Anusha K. Yeshokumar and Deanna Saylor declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Michael D. Kornberg reports grants from NINDS and from National Multiple Sclerosis Society-American Academy of Neurology.

Ellen M. Mowry reports grants from Biogen Idec and received free medication for a clinical trial from Teva Neuroscience, and Dr. Mowry is PI of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in people with MS (sponsored by the National MS Society). She is site PI for a clinical trial sponsored by Sun Pharma.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Meyer 6-113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Anusha K. Yeshokumar MD, Deanna Saylor MD, MHS, Michael D. Kornberg MD, PhD & Ellen M. Mowry MD, MCR

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  1. Anusha K. Yeshokumar MD
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  2. Deanna Saylor MD, MHS
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  3. Michael D. Kornberg MD, PhD
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  4. Ellen M. Mowry MD, MCR
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Correspondence to Anusha K. Yeshokumar MD.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurologic Manifestations of Systemic Disease

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Yeshokumar, A.K., Saylor, D., Kornberg, M.D. et al. Evidence for the Importance of Vitamin D Status in Neurologic Conditions. Curr Treat Options Neurol 17, 51 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-015-0380-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-015-0380-3

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