Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: potential beneficial effects of vitamin D

Metab Brain Dis. 2023 Mar;38(3):819-829. doi: 10.1007/s11011-023-01188-5. Epub 2023 Mar 2.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. In recent years, several studies have robustly shown that neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of this disease. The co-localization of amyloid-β plaques near activated glial cells and the increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in AD patients indicate the involvement of the neuroinflammatory process in AD progression. Considering that pharmacological treatment remains a challenge for the management of this disease, compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are promising therapeutic strategies. In this context, vitamin D has gained attention in the last few years due to its neuroprotective property and the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the population. Herein, in this narrative review we present the possible contribution of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D for its neuroprotective effects, and the clinical and preclinical data dealing with the effects of vitamin D in AD, focusing mainly on the neuroinflammatory process.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Anti-inflammatory effect; Antioxidant effect; Neuroinflammation; Vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neuroinflammatory Diseases
  • Vitamin D / pharmacology
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Antioxidants
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents