Protective effects of vitamin D on neurophysiologic alterations in brain aging: role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Nutrition as Metabolic Treatment for Anxiety

Despite the overwhelming prevalence of anxiety disorders in modern society, medications and psychotherapy often fail to achieve complete symptom resolution. A complementary approach to medicating symptoms is to address the underlying metabolic pathologies associated with mental illnesses and anxiety. This may be achieved through nutritional interventions. In this perspectives piece, we highlight the roles of the microbiome and inflammation as influencers of anxiety. We further discuss the evidence base for six specific nutritional interventions: avoiding artificial sweeteners and gluten, including omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric in the diet, supplementation with vitamin D, and ketogenic diets. We attempt to integrate insights from the nutrition science-literature in order to highlight some practices that practitioners may consider when treating individual patients. Notably, this piece is not meant to serve as a comprehensive review of the literature, but rather argue our perspective that nutritional interventions should be more widely considered among clinical psychiatrists. Nutritional psychiatry is in its infancy and more research is needed in this burgeoning low-risk and potentially high-yield field.

Neurobiological effects of phospholipids in vitro: Relevance to stress-related disorders

Nutrition is a crucial component for maintenance of brain function and mental health. Accumulating evidence suggests that certain molecular compounds derived from diet can exert neuroprotective effects against chronic stress, and moreover improve important neuronal processes vulnerable to the stress response, such as plasticity and neurogenesis. Phospholipids are naturally occurring amphipathic molecules with promising potential to promote brain health. However, it is unclear whether phospholipids are able to modulate neuronal function directly under a stress-related context. In this study, we investigate the neuroprotective effects of phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidic acid (PA), sphingomyelin (SM) and cardiolipin (CL) against corticosterone (CORT)-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. In addition, we examine their capacity to modulate proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural progenitor cells (NPCs).

We show that PS, PG and PE can reverse CORT-induced cytotoxicity and neuronal depletion in cortical cells. On the other hand, phospholipid exposure was unable to prevent the decrease of Bdnf expression produced by CORT. Interestingly, PS was able to increase hippocampal NPCs neurosphere size, and PE elicited a significant increase in astrocytic differentiation in hippocampal NPCs. Together, these results indicate that specific phospholipids protect cortical cells against CORT-induced cytotoxicity and improve proliferation and astrocytic differentiation in hippocampal NPCs, suggesting potential implications on neurodevelopmental and neuroprotective pathways relevant for stress-related disorders.

Vitamin D supplementation improves anxiety but not depression symptoms in patients with vitamin D deficiency

OBJECTIVE

Epidemiological evidence indicated a relationship between vitamin D (VD) and depression with anxiety, but their therapeutic relationship has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to examine whether VD supplementation would relieve symptoms in patients with depression and anxiety with low serum 25-hydroxy VD [25(OH) D] levels.

METHOD

Participants with low 25(OH)D levels were randomized to control or daily VD group and were followed up for 6 months. Serum concentrations of 25(OH) D were measured using commercial kits. Psychological symptoms were evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Revised Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS), Revised Physical Anhedonia scale (RPAS), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale-14 (HAMA-14). The trial was listed in the trial registration (http://www.medresman.org.cn/uc/index.aspx; NTR number: ChiCTR2000030130).

RESULTS

In this clinical population, no significant difference in depression symptoms was detected between VD group and control group at both baseline and at the endpoint of our study. The HAMD-17, RSAS, and RPAS scores did not change significantly between VD and control groups from baseline to endpoint (all p > .05). However, there was a significant difference in time effect of the total HAMA-14 scores between the two groups (β [95% Cl] = -2.235 [-3.818, -0.653], p = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D supplementation could improve the anxiety symptoms but not depressive symptoms in depressive patients with low VD level after the 6-month intervention.

Effects of circulating vitamin D concentrations on emotion, behavior and attention: A cross-sectional study in preschool children with follow-up behavior experiments in juvenile mice

BACKGROUND

Although few studies show that vitamin D (VitD) deficiency has a negative effect on children's emotion and behavior, the effects of the excessive VitD and the appropriate 25(OH)D concentration have never been reported. We investigated the effect of the deficient and excessive VitD on emotion, behavior and attention.

METHODS

351 preschool children in a multicenter study in Shanghai, China that had serum 25(OH)D measurements and emotion, behavior and attention measures were included in the analyses. In animal experiments, C57 mice were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 8): control (C) group, VitD deficiency (VDD) group, and VitD overdose (VDO) group. The emotion, behavior and attention of juvenile mice were evaluated through the behavioral experiments.

RESULTS

There was an "U" relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentration and emotion, behavior and attention. Compared with 20-40 ng/mL group, the odds ratios (ORs) were 1.5 (1.0, 4.8) for emotional problem, 3.8 (1.2, 12.1) for conduct problem and 1.8 (1.1, 5.7) for inattention in <20 ng/mL group. Meanwhile, compared with 20-40 ng/mL group, ORs were 9.5 (2.9, 31.4) for impulsive hyperactivity, and 3.9 (1.2, 12.9) for conduct problem in >40 ng/mL group. Consistent with the results in children, animal experiments showed that the attention level decreased in VDD group, while the anxiety level, hyperactive level and aggressiveness in VDD group and VDO group were significantly increased, respectively.

LIMITATIONS

25(OH)D measurements were only available in one season.

CONCLUSION

The deficient and excessive VitD status both adversely affected children's emotion, behavior and attention.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a common disease affecting about 5% of the general population after the age of 50. Causes of PN are numerous and include genetic, diabetes, alcohol, vitamin deficiencies, and gluten sensitivity among others. This systematic review aimed to study the association between oxidative stress and PN in an attempt to better understand PN pathogenesis. A computer-based, systematic search was conducted on the PubMed database, and ensuing data from included articles was analyzed and discussed in this review. Sixty-nine papers were eligible and were used for this review. Peripheral neuropathy is associated with an increase of reactive oxygen species and a decrease in endogenous antioxidants. Genetic predisposition to oxidative damage may be a factor. Antioxidant treatment is promising regarding treatment. Though further research is necessary to better understand the underlying mechanism, it is evident that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of - or is at least systematically present in - PN.