At a Loss for Words, and for a Single Letter: “D” Vitamin D, Dementia, and Depression in the Elderly

ABSTRACT

An increasing number of investigations imply a relationship between lack of vitamin D and two common mental health problems in the elderly, dementia and depression. Vitamin D may have a protective effect on the brain against dementia through its beneficial effect on the systemic vasculature, including the cerebral vasculature, or it may protect or promote the growth of individual neurons. Several large epidemiologic trials and smaller studies have delineated an association between vitamin D and cognitive impairment in assessments using global screening tests and individual tests of specific cognitive function. Similarly, vitamin D levels have been correlated with the presence of depressive symptoms in older persons. A few small trials have used vitamin D to treat depression but have failed to use adequate doses. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the potential for vitamin D in the treatment of dementia and depression.

Keywords

dementia depression, vitamin D cognition executive function