Prevalence of vitamin d insufficiency in patients with Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease. Inverse associations of outdoor activity and vitamin D intake with the risk of Parkinson’s disease Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in Parkinson disease. Amelioration of osteoporosis by menatetrenone in elderly female Parkinson's disease patients with vitamin D deficiency. Prospective study of dietary pattern and risk of Parkinson disease. Cysteine elevation in levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson's disease. Are Hill's criteria for causality satisfied for vitamin D and periodontal disease? Serum copper, zinc and selenium levels in Tunisian patients with Parkinson's disease. Vitamin D and prostate cancer prognosis: a Mendelian randomization study Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level Could Predict the Risk for Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis Vitamin D as an early predictor of multiple sclerosis activity and progression. Association between Parkinson's disease and low bone density and falls in older men: the osteoporotic fractures in men study. Association of Vitamin D Levels With Outcome in Patients With Melanoma After Adjustment For C-Reactive Protein. Correlations between cognitive, behavioural and psychological findings and levels of vitamin B12 and folate in patients with dementia. Overview of the Cohort Consortium Vitamin D Pooling Project of Rarer Cancers Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis hospital admissions in Scotland. Dietary and lifestyle variables in relation to incidence of Parkinson’s disease in Greece
BACKGROUND A role for vitamin D deficiency in Parkinson disease ( PD ) has recently been proposed . OBJECTIVE To compare the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a research data base cohort of patients with PD with the prevalence in age-matched healthy controls and patients with Alzheimer disease ( AD ) . DESIGN Survey study and blinded comparison of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D ( 25[OH]D ) concentrations of stored sample s in a clinical research data base at Emory University School of Medicine . SETTING Referral center ( PD and AD patients ) , primary care clinics , and community setting ( controls ) . PARTICIPANTS Participants were recruited into the study between May 1992 and March 2007 . Every fifth consecutively enrolled PD patient was selected from the clinical research data base . Unrelated AD ( n = 97 ) and control ( n = 99 ) participants were r and omly selected from the data base after matching for age , sex , race , APOE genotype , and geographic location . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D and mean 25(OH)D concentrations . RESULTS Significantly more patients with PD ( 55 % ) had insufficient vitamin D than did controls ( 36 % ) or patients with AD ( 41 % ; P = .02 , chi(2)test ) . The mean ( SD ) 25(OH)D concentration in the PD cohort was significantly lower than in the AD and control cohorts ( 31.9 [ 13.6 ] ng/mL vs 34.8 [ 15.4 ] ng/mL and 37.0 [ 14.5 ] ng/mL , respectively ; P = .03 ) . CONCLUSIONS This report of 25(OH)D concentrations in a predominantly white PD cohort demonstrates a significantly higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis in PD vs both healthy controls and patients with AD . These data support a possible role of vitamin D insufficiency in PD . Further studies are needed to determine the factors contributing to these differences and eluci date the potential role of vitamin D in pathogenesis and clinical course of PD Early studies had suggested that vitamin D intake was inversely associated with neurodegenerative diseases , such as Alzheimer ’s disease and multiple sclerosis . However , the associations of vitamin D intake and outdoor activities with Parkinson ’s disease ( PD ) are still unclear , so this study is to evaluate these relationships from a case-control study in elderly Chinese . The study population involved 209 cases with new onsets of PD and 210 controls without neurodegenerative diseases . The data on  dietary vitamin D and outdoor activities  were collected using a food-frequency question naire and self-report question naire . Multivariable logistic regressions  were used to examine the associations between dietary outdoor activities , vitamin D intake and PD . Adjustment was made for sex , age , smoking , alcohol use , education , and body mass index ( BMI ) . Adjusted odds ratios ( ORs ) for PD in quartiles for outdoor physical activity were 1 ( reference ) , 0.739 ( 0.413 , 1.321 ) , 0.501 ( 0.282 , 0.891 ) , and 0.437 ( 0.241 , 0.795 ) , respectively ( P=0.002 for trend ) . Adjusted ORs for PD in quartiles for total vitamin D intake were 1 ( reference ) , 0.647 ( 0.357 , 1.170 ) , 0.571 ( 0.318 , 1.022 ) , and 0.538 ( 0.301 , 0.960 ) , respectively ( P=0.011 for trend ) . Our study suggested that outdoor activity and total vitamin D intake were inversely associated with PD , and outdoor activity seems to be more significantly associated with decreased risk for PD.概要研究目的评估户外活动 、 维生素D 的摄入与帕金森病(PD)风险关系。研究方法收集209 例新发PD 病例和210 名无神经退行性疾病对照人群 , 进行食物频率问卷调查 , 计算膳食维生素D 摄入量并记录自我报告的问卷调查户外活动情况 。 利用多变量Logistic 回归研究膳食维生素D 摄入及户外活动与PD 的相关性 , 并校正性别 、 年龄 、 吸烟 、 饮酒 、 教育程度和身体质量指数 ( BMI ) 变量 。 按户外活动时间从少到多四分位分组 , 校正后的比值比(OR)(95%可信区间(CI))值分别为1(参考 ) 、 0.739(0.413 , 1.321 ) 、 0.501(0.282 , 0.891)和0.437(0.241 , 0.795 ) , 趋势P=0.002 ; 按维生素D 摄入量从少到多四分位分组 , 校正后的OR 值分别为1(参考 ) 、 0.647(0.357 , 1.170 ) 、 0.571(0.318 , 1.022)和0.538(0.301 , 0.960 ) , 趋势P=0.011。重要结论表明户外活动和总的维生素D 摄入量与PD 呈负相关 ; 户外活动可更显著下降PD 的风险相关 BACKGROUND In our previous study , higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [ 25(OH)D ] concentrations and the vitamin D receptor ( VDR ) FokI CC genotype were associated with milder Parkinson disease ( PD ) . OBJECTIVE We evaluated whether vitamin D3 supplementation inhibits the progression of PD on the basis of patient VDR subgroups . DESIGN Patients with PD ( n = 114 ) were r and omly assigned to receive vitamin D3 supplements ( n = 56 ; 1200 IU/d ) or a placebo ( n = 58 ) for 12 mo in a double-blind setting . Outcomes were clinical changes from baseline and the percentage of patients who showed no worsening of the modified Hoehn and Yahr ( HY ) stage and Unified Parkinson 's Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS ) . RESULTS Compared with the placebo , vitamin D3 significantly prevented the deterioration of the HY stage in patients [ difference between groups : P = 0.005 ; mean ± SD change within vitamin D3 group : + 0.02 ± 0.62 ( P = 0.79 ) ; change within placebo group : + 0.33 ± 0.70 ( P = 0.0006 ) ] . Interaction analyses showed that VDR FokI genotypes modified the effect of vitamin D3 on changes in the HY stage ( P-interaction = 0.045 ) , UPDRS total ( P-interaction = 0.039 ) , and UPDRS part II ( P-interaction = 0.021 ) . Compared with the placebo , vitamin D3 significantly prevented deterioration of the HY stage in patients with FokI TT [ difference between groups : P = 0.009 ; change within vitamin D3 group : -0.38 ± 0.48 ( P = 0.91 ) ; change within placebo group , + 0.63 ± 0.77 ( P = 0.009 ) ] and FokI CT [ difference between groups : P = 0.020 ; change within vitamin D3 group : ±0.00 ± 0.60 ( P = 0.78 ) ; change within placebo group : + 0.37 ± 0.74 ( P = 0.014 ) ] but not FokI CC . Similar trends were observed in UPDRS total and part II . CONCLUSION Vitamin D3 supplementation may stabilize PD for a short period in patients with FokI TT or CT genotypes without triggering hypercalcemia , although this effect may be nonspecific for PD . This trial was registered at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000001841 Significant reduction in bone mineral density ( BMD ) occurs in patients with Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) , correlating with immobilization and with vitamin D deficiency , and increasing the risk of hip fracture , especially in elderly women . As a biological indicator of compromised vitamin K status , an increased serum concentration of undercarboxylated osteocalcin ( Oc ) has been associated with reduced BMD in the hip and an increased risk of fracture in otherwise healthy elderly women . We evaluated treatment with vitamin K(2 ) ( menatetrenone ; MK-4 ) in maintaining BMD and reducing the incidence of nonvertebral fractures in elderly female patients with PD . In a r and om and prospect i ve study of PD patients , 60 received 45 mg of MK-4 daily for 12 months , and the remaining 60 ( untreated group ) did not . At baseline , patients of both groups showed vitamin D and K(1 ) deficiencies , high serum levels of ionized calcium , and glutaminic residue ( Glu ) Oc , and low levels of parathyroid hormone ( PTH ) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [ 1,25-(OH)(2)D ] , indicating that immobilization-induced hypercalcemia inhibits renal synthesis of 1,25-(OH)(2)D and compensatory PTH secretion . BMD in the second metacarpals increased by 0.9 % in the treated group and decreased by 4.3 % in the untreated group ( p < 0.0001 ) .  Vitamin K(2 ) level increased by 259.8 % in the treated group . Correspondingly , significant decreases in Glu Oc and calcium were observed in the treated group , in association with an increase in both PTH and 1,25-(OH)(2)D. Ten patients sustained fractures ( eight at the hip and two at other sites ) in the untreated group , and one hip fracture occurred among treated patients ( p = 0.0082 ; odds ratio = 11.5 ) . The treatment with MK-4 can increase the BMD of vitamin D- and K-deficient bone by increasing vitamin K concentration , and it can also decrease calcium levels through inhibition of bone resorption , result ing in an increase in 1,25-(OH)(2)D concentration BACKGROUND Several studies have shown associations between Parkinson Disease ( PD ) risk and individual foods and nutrients with inconsistent results . OBJECTIVE We examined associations between dietary patterns and risk of PD in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study ( 1986 - 2002 ) and the Nurses ' Health Study ( 1984 - 2000 ) . DESIGN We included 49 692 men and 81 676 women free of PD at baseline and used principal components analysis to identify major dietary patterns and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index ( AHEI ) and the alternate Mediterranean Diet Score ( aMed ) to assess diet quality . Relative risks ( RRs ) were computed by using Cox proportional hazards models within each cohort and were pooled by using a r and om-effects model . RESULTS We documented 508 new PD cases after 16 y of follow-up . The principal components analysis identified 2 dietary patterns : prudent and Western . The prudent dietary pattern , characterized by high intakes of fruit , vegetables , and fish , was inversely associated with PD risk , but the Western pattern was not . The pooled multivariate-adjusted RR for the top compared with the bottom quintiles of the prudent score was 0.78 ( 95 % CI : 0.56 , 1.07 ; P for trend = 0.04 ) . For the AHEI , the pooled multivariate-adjusted RR for the top compared with the bottom quintile was 0.70 ( 95 % CI : 0.51 , 0.94 ; P for trend = 0.01 ) and for aMED was 0.75 ( 95 % CI : 0.57 , 1.00 ; P for trend = 0.07 ) . CONCLUSIONS Dietary patterns with a high intake of fruit , vegetables , legumes , whole grains , nuts , fish , and poultry and a low intake of saturated fat and a moderate intake of alcohol may protect against PD . Benefits of a plant-based dietary pattern including fish to PD merit further investigation Homocysteine , cysteine , and cysteinyl-glycine are all metabolically interrelated . Levodopa/decarboxylase inhibitor ( LD/DCI ) administration increases total homocysteine ( tHcy ) plasma levels . Objectives were to investigate associations between LD/DCI intake , concentrations of tHcy , cysteine , and cysteinyl-glycine in PD patients and healthy controls .  Cysteine levels were significant lower in controls and PD patients with tHcy below the treshold of 15 [ micromol/L ] when compared with PD patients with tHcy above 15 . Cysteinyl-glycine did not significantly differ between the three cohorts . Significant associations appeared between tHcys and cysteine in PD patients .  tHcy and cysteine concentrations correlated to LD/DCI intake and severity of PD . The cysteine increase may be due to the significant higher dosing of daily LD/DCI and the significant higher morning LD/DCI dose 1 hour before blood sampling in PD patients with tHcy above 15 when compared with the remaining PD patients and the controls . The correlation outcomes support the view that LD/DCI intake may also increase cysteine There is mounting evidence that periodontal disease ( PD ) is linked to low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [ 25(OH)D ] concentrations in addition to recognized risk factors like diet and smoking . This paper review s this evidence using Hill 's criteria for causality in a biological system . Evidence for strength of association , consistency , cohesion and ' dose-effects ' [ biological ' gradients ' ] include strong inverse correlations between serum 25(OH ) and both PD cross-sectionally and that PD is consistently more prevalent in darker vs. lighter skinned people and increases at higher latitudes with analogy for gingivitis and for disorders associated with PD whose risks increase with hypovitaminosis D. Evidence for plausibility includes that vitamin D increases calcium absorption and protects bone strength ; induces formation of cathelicidin and other defensins that combat bacterial infection ; reduces tissue production of destructive matrix metalloproteinases actively associated with PD and that prevalence of PD varies with common vitamin D receptor polymorphisms . Experimental evidence from limited supplementation studies [ using calcium and vitamin D ] shows that supplementation reduces tooth loss . Thus , existing evidence for hypovitaminosis D as a risk factor for PD to date meets Hill 's criteria for causality in a biological system . Further experimental evidence for effectiveness and temporality , preferably from r and omized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation [ adjusting for other PD risk factors including diet and smoking to reduce confounding ] are necessary to confirm causality . If confirmed , dentists and periodontists could perform a valuable service to their patients by discussing the importance of adequate vitamin D status and on how to avoid deficiency BACKGROUND Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder . The etiology of this disease is still not fully clear , but free radicals have been proposed to cause neuronal injury . Metals play a key role in the intracellular oxidative balance . However their implication in the degeneration process remains unknown . AIM To assess Cu , Zn and Se concentrations in serum of a group of PD patients in order to determinate , in comparison with age-matched controls , whether alteration in their levels could be involved in PD . METHODS A serum level of 3 trace elements ( Cu , Zn and Se )  was investigated in 48 patients with PD and 36 matched controls using plasma atomic absorption spectrometry .  We compared these parameters in PD patients with controls , and we also compared the variations within the PD group according to age , illness duration , stage of the disease and levodopa intake . RESULTS Patients with PD had significantly lower Cu levels compared to controls . The mean Zn and Se levels in PD patients did not differ significantly from those of controls . Levodopa therapy , age , stage , and illness duration did not significantly influence the measured parameters . CONCLUSION These results suggest that a disturbance of the plasmatic rate of Cu could be a marker of PD or at least , a risk factor for the development of this disease . Although zinc participates to the reduction of oxidative stress and the antioxidant role of the selenium , their implication in the onset of PD is not clearly established . Perspectives for the future could include antioxidant therapy . For this reason , other prospect i ve studies should be conducted on this subject to eluci date the implication of trace elements in PD Abstract Purpose Decreased vitamin D levels have been associated with prostate cancer , but it is unclear whether this association is causal . A functional single-nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP ) in the group-specific component ( GC ) gene ( T > G , rs2282679 ) has been associated with 25-hydroxy ( 25-OH ) vitamin D and 1.25 dihydroxy ( 1.25-OH2 ) vitamin D levels . Methods To examine the hypothesized inverse relationship between vitamin D status and prostate cancer , we studied the association between this SNP and prostate cancer outcome in the prospect i ve PROCAGENE study comprising 702 prostate cancer patients with a median follow-up of 82 months . Results GC rs2282679 genotypes were not associated with biochemical recurrence [ hazard ratios ( HR ) 0.91 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) 0.73–1.12 ; p = 0.36 ] , development of metastases ( HR 1.20 , 95 % CI 0.88–1.63 ; p = 0.25 ) or overall survival ( HR 1.10 ; 95 % CI 0.84–1.43 ; p = 0.50 ) . Conclusions A causal role of vitamin D status , as reflected by GC rs2282679 genotype , in disease progression and mortality in prostate cancer patients is unlikely ♦ Background : As an immune system regulator , vitamin D is commonly deficient among patients on peritoneal dialysis ( PD ) , which may contribute to their impaired immune function and increased risk for PD-related peritonitis . In this study , we aim ed to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency could predict the risk of peritonitis in a prospect i ve cohort of patients on PD . ♦ Methods : We collected 346 prevalent and incident PD patients from 2 hospitals . Baseline demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded . Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ( 25[OH]D ) was measured at baseline and prior to peritonitis . The mean doses of oral active vitamin D used during the study period were also recorded . The outcome was the occurrence of peritonitis . ♦ Results : The mean age of patients and duration of PD were 58.95 ± 13.67 years and 28.45 ( 15.04 – 53.37 ) months , respectively . Baseline 25(OH)D level was 16.15 ( 12.13 – 21.16 ) nmol/L , which was closely associated with diabetic status , longer PD duration , malnutrition , and inflammation . Baseline serum 25(OH)D predicted the occurrence of peritonitis  independently of active vitamin D supplementation with a hazard ratio ( HR ) of 0.94 ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 0.90 – 0.98 ) after adjusting for recognized confounders ( age , gender , dialysis duration , diabetes , albumin , residual renal function , and history of peritonitis ) . Compared to the low tertile , middle and high 25(OH)D level tertiles were associated with a decreased risk for peritonitis with HRs of 0.54 ( 95 % CI 0.31 – 0.94 ) and 0.39 ( 95 % CI 0.20 – 0.75 ) , respectively . ♦ Conclusions : Vitamin D deficiency evaluated by serum 25(OH)D rather than active vitamin D supplementation is closely associated with a higher risk of peritonitis IMPORTANCE It remains unclear whether vitamin D insufficiency , which is common in individuals with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) , has an adverse effect on MS outcomes . OBJECTIVES To determine whether serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D ( 25[OH]D ) , a marker of vitamin D status , predict disease activity and prognosis in patients with a first event suggestive of MS ( clinical ly isolated syndrome ) . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS The Betaferon/Betaseron in Newly Emerging multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment study was a r and omized trial originally design ed to evaluate the impact of early vs delayed interferon beta-1b treatment in patients with clinical ly isolated syndrome .  Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at baseline and 6 , 12 , and 24 months . A total of 465 of the 468 patients r and omized had at least 1 25(OH)D measurement , and 334 patients had them at both the 6- and 12-month ( seasonally asynchronous ) measurements . Patients were followed up for 5 years clinical ly and by magnetic resonance imaging . MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES New active lesions , increased T2 lesion volume , and brain volume on magnetic resonance imaging , as well as MS relapses and disability ( Exp and ed Disability Status Scale score ) . RESULTS Higher 25(OH)D levels predicted reduced MS activity and a slower rate of progression . A 50-nmol/L ( 20-ng/mL ) increment in average serum 25(OH)D levels within the first 12 months predicted a 57 % lower rate of new active lesions ( P < .001 ) , 57 % lower relapse rate ( P = .03 ) , 25 % lower yearly increase in T2 lesion volume ( P < .001 ) , and 0.41 % lower yearly loss in brain volume ( P = .07 ) from months 12 to 60 . Similar associations were found between 25(OH)D measured up to 12 months and MS activity or progression from months 24 to 60 . In analyses using dichotomous 25(OH)D levels , values greater than or equal to 50 nmol/L ( 20 ng/mL ) at up to 12 months predicted lower disability ( Exp and ed Disability Status Scale score , -0.17 ; P = .004 ) during the subsequent 4 years . CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with MS mainly treated with interferon beta-1b  , low 25(OH)D levels early in the disease course are a strong risk factor for long-term MS activity and progression OBJECTIVES To examine the association between Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) and bone mineral density ( BMD ) and risk of falls . DESIGN Cross-sectional and prospect i ve cohort study . SETTING Six U.S. clinical centers . PARTICIPANTS Five thous and nine hundred ninety-five community-dwelling , ambulatory men aged 65 and older . MEASUREMENTS History of physician-diagnosed PD was ascertained from participant self-report . BMD was measured at the hip and spine using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry ( DEXA ) and quantitative computed tomography ( QCT ) .  Incident falls were ascertained for 1 year using mailed queries . RESULTS Fifty-two participants ( 0.9 % ) reported a history of PD . In multivariate models , PD was associated with significantly lower BMD at the spine ( -4.9 % , P=.04 ) and total hip ( -5.3 % , P=.007 ) using DEXA and at the spine ( -6.7 % , P=.05 ) and total hip ( -8.2 % , P=.03 ) using QCT . PD was associated with a nearly three times greater age-adjusted risk of multiple future falls ( odds ratio (OR)=2.91 , 95 % confidence interval (CI)=1.55 - 5.46 ) . Further adjustment for history of multiple falls in the year before baseline attenuated this risk , but it remained significant ( OR=2.30 , 95 % CI=1.15 - 4.59 ) . CONCLUSION In this cohort of older men , PD was associated with lower BMD at the hip and spine , measured using areal and volumetric BMD , as well as increased falls . Clinicians should consider screening older men with PD for osteoporosis PURPOSE To evaluate for an association between  25-hydroxyvitamin D levels ( vitamin D ) and outcome measures in patients with melanoma after evaluation is controlled for systemic inflammatory response ( SIR ) on the basis of simultaneous C-reactive protein ( CRP ) measurement . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Plasma sample s from 1,042 prospect ively observed patients with melanoma were assayed for vitamin D and CRP . The associations of demographics and CRP with vitamin D were determined , followed by a determination of the association between vitamin D and stage and outcome measures from the date of blood draw . The vitamin D level was considered sufficient if it was 30 to 100 ng/mL. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed . RESULTS The median vitamin D level was 25.0 ng/mL. The median follow-up time was 7.1 years . A lower vitamin D  was associated with the blood draw during fall/winter months ( P < .001 ) , older age ( P = .001 ) , increased CRP ( P < .001 ) , increased tumor thickness ( P < .001 ) , ulcerated tumor ( P = .0105 ) , and advanced melanoma stage ( P = .0024 ) . On univariate analysis , lower vitamin D was associated with poorer overall ( OS ; P < .001 ) , melanoma-specific survival ( MSS ; P = .0025 ) , and disease-free survival ( DFS ; P = .0466 ) . The effect of vitamin D on these outcome measures persisted after adjustment for CRP and other covariates . Multivariable hazards ratios per unit decrease of vitamin D were 1.02 for OS ( 95 % CI , 1.01 to 1.04 ; P = .0051 ) , 1.02 for MSS ( 95 % CI , 1.00 to 1.04 ; P = .048 ) , and 1.02 for DFS ( 95 % CI , 1.00 to 1.04 ; P = .0427 ) . CONCLUSION Lower vitamin D levels in patients with melanoma were associated with poorer outcomes . Although lower vitamin D was strongly associated with higher CRP , the associations of lower vitamin D with poorer OS , MSS , and DFS were independent of this association . Investigation of mechanisms responsible for these associations may be of value to patients with melanoma BACKGROUND Associations between low levels of folate and vitamin B12 and cognitive impairment in patients with dementia have been reported . Some studies revealed correlations between low levels of vitamin B12  and behavioural and psychological signs and symptoms of dementia ( BPSD ) in Alzheimer 's disease ( AD ) patients . Given the lack of studies in frontotemporal dementia ( FTD ) and on folate and given the method ological shortcomings of former publications , we set up a prospect i ve study . METHODS At inclusion , AD ( n=152 ) and FTD ( n=28 ) patients underwent a neuropsychological examination . Behaviour  was assessed using a battery of behavioural assessment scales . Determination of serum vitamin B12 and red cell folate levels  were performed within a time frame of two weeks of inclusion . RESULTS In both patient groups , significantly negative correlations between levels of serum vitamin B12 and red cell folate and the degree of cognitive deterioration were found . No correlations with BPSD were found in the AD patient group . In FTD patients , levels of vitamin B12 were negatively correlated with both hallucinations ( p=0.022 ) and diurnal rhythm disturbances ( p=0.036 ) . CONCLUSIONS The observed negative correlations between levels of vitamin B12 and folate and cognitive impairment in both AD and FTD patients , raise the possibility of a non-specific etiological role . Although levels of vitamin B12 and folate did not correlate with BPSD in AD patients , negative correlations between serum vitamin B12 levels and BPSD in FTD patients were revealed . Decreased serum vitamin B12 levels may predispose FTD patients to develop hallucinations and diurnal rhythm disturbances The Cohort Consortium Vitamin D Pooling Project of Rarer Cancers ( VDPP ) brought together 10 cohorts to conduct a prospect i ve study of the association between vitamin D status , measured as serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D ( 25(OH)D ) , and the development of 7 rarer cancer sites : endometrial , esophageal , gastric , kidney , non-Hodgkin lymphoma , ovarian , and pancreatic cancers . The cohorts come from 3 continents , with participants from a wide range of latitude who are racially diverse . Across each cancer site , there was no evidence of a protective association between higher concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D ( > 75 nmol/L ) and cancer outcome . An increased risk at very high levels ( ≥100 nmol/L ) was noted for pancreatic cancer , confirming previous reports . The articles included in this issue detail the overall design and governance of the project , correlates of vitamin D status , and results from the cancer site-specific investigations . The Vitamin D Pooling Project realizes a major goal of consortium efforts , namely , to rigorously test hypotheses for rarer cancer outcomes that may not be adequately addressed in any one prospect i ve cohort study . The results of this study have application for the planning and conduct of intervention trials , especially in determining potential risks It is now acknowledged that seasonality is a main feature of the complex neurological disorder multiple sclerosis ( MS ) . Having a spring birthday and being exposed to low levels of sunshine significantly increase the risk of MS later in life.1,2 Although global environment is dominated by seasonality , the observation that vitamin D status is inversely associated with risk of MS later in life and that vitamin D regulates the expression of a large number of MS associated genes , strongly indicate that ultra-violet ( UV ) light exposure and consequent effects on vitamin D production are involved in MS etiology.3,4 Intriguingly this essential hormone appears to also play an important role in influencing MS disease course . Studies have shown an inverse association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D ( 25-OH-D ) levels and clinical MS severity and relapse rate.5 Furthermore , in a recent prospect i ve investigation of a large cohort of MS patients , vitamin D status inversely correlated with relapses over the subsequent 6 months.6 Similar Identification of dietary and lifestyle variables associated with the development of Parkinson ’s disease ( PD ) may offer pathogenetic clues and prevention opportunities . In a population -based prospect i ve cohort study , 26,173 participants in the EPIC – Greece cohort had sociodemographic , anthropometric  ,  medical , dietary  and  lifestyle variables  ascertained at enrolment and periodically reassessed with follow-up contacts . Based on these data , subjects were screened as possible PD cases if they ( 1 ) reported either a medical diagnosis of PD or use of anti-PD drugs and ( 2 ) did not report preceding causes of secondary parkinsonism . For diagnostic validation , possible incident PD cases were assessed by a focused 3-item telephone question naire . Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate associations between potential predictors and incident PD . The main multivariate model included gender , age , marital status , schooling years , farming occupation , smoking status , caffeinated coffee , body mass index , physical activity and energy intake . Additional models included all above variables plus one dietary item at a time . Incidence rate adjusted to the European population was 16.9 per 100,000 person-years . In multivariate models , incident PD exhibited strong positive association with consumption of milk , but not cheese or yoghurt . This finding may help narrow down the search for potential dairy product components with a facilitatory role in PD . Concerning other dietary components , inverse association was found between polyunsaturated fat intake and incident PD . Also , inverse association was found with tobacco smoking , in line with previous studies , but not with caffeine
Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of PD
Abstract To estimate the associations between vitamin D status and Parkinson ’s disease ( PD ) .