Vitamin D & Alzheimer’s (2011)
Scientists at Oxford University’s OPTIMA project* ran a study to look for a link between vitamin D & Alzheimer’s. Participants were comprised of 255 people with definite or probable Alzheimer’s and 260 healthy elderly people. The study looked at the gene for the vitamin D receptor, which manages the body’s response to vitamin D.
Findings were that there does appear to be a link. Two slight changes in the genetic code which makes up the gene for the vitamin D receptor were associated with risk of Alzheimer’s. These are preliminary findings, and more research is needed to understand their significance.
Lehmann DJ, Refsum H, Warden DR, Medway C, Wilcock GK, Smith AD (2011) The vitamin D receptor gene is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Neurosci Lett. Oct 24;504(2):79-82.
*OPTIMA is led by Professor David Smith who is also on our Scientific Advisory Board