Vitamin D: A potent regulator of dopaminergic neuron differentiation and function

Vitamin D has been identified as a key factor in dopaminergic neurogenesis and differentiation. Consequently, developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency has been linked to disorders of abnormal dopamine signalling with a neurodevelopmental basis such as schizophrenia. Here we provide further evidence of vitamin D's role as a mediator of dopaminergic development by showing that it increases neurite outgrowth, neurite branching, presynaptic protein re-distribution, dopamine production and functional release in various in vitro models of developing dopaminergic cells including SH-SY5Y cells, primary mesencephalic cultures and mesencephalic/striatal explant co-cultures. This study continues to establish vitamin D as an important differentiation agent for developing dopamine neurons, and now for the first time shows chronic exposure to the active vitamin D hormone increases the capacity of developing neurons to release dopamine. This study also has implications for understanding mechanisms behind the link between DVD deficiency and schizophrenia.

Automated summary

Vitamin D has been found to play a key role in dopaminergic neurogenesis and differentiation, and its deficiency has been linked to disorders of abnormal dopamine signalling, such as schizophrenia. This study provides further evidence of vitamin D's role in promoting dopaminergic development by increasing neurite outgrowth, branching, presynaptic protein re-distribution, dopamine production, and functional release in various in vitro models. It also suggests a potential mechanism behind the link between developmental vitamin D deficiency and schizophrenia.