ABSTRACT
Emerging evidence suggests the role of vitamin D in brain health and its implication in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment. The Aim of this review is to summarize current evidence on neuroimaging changes seen in vitamin D deficient individuals. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have consistently found an association between low serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, investigating the association between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D and neuroimaging abnormalities could provide an insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the association with cognitive impairment. Animal studies have demonstrated structural changes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of vitamin D deficient mice. Neuroimaging studies of the brain have shown increased white matter hyperintensities in periventricular, cortical, and juxtacortical areas and grey matter atrophy of the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and left calcarine sulcus in elderly with vitamin D deficiency.
Acknowledgements
This research would not have been possible without the exceptional support of our Dean, Dr. Aiman Alsaegh and Head of the department, Dr. Ahmed H. Qassem of Laboratory medicine, Faculty of Applied medical sciences, Umm Al-Qura University. Dr. S. Sultan, MD, substantially contributed to conception or design of the work, finally approved the version to be published and was responsible for agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Sadia Sultan
Sadia Sultan holds a degree MD (Psychiatry), working as Assistant Professor in university. Research Interests: Neurocognitive disorders.