THE ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN THE DEVELOPMENT/WORSEAGE OF MOOD DISORDERS, WITH A FOCUS ON BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER AND DEPRESSION

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593492303072

• Palavras-chave: Vitamin D; Bipolar disorder; Mood Disorders; Depression.

• Keywords: Vitamin D; Bipolar disorder; Mood Disorders; Depression.

• Abstract:

  Purpose: examine the literature on the role of vitamin D in the evolution and exacerbation of mood disorders, with a focus on bipolar and depressive disorders. Methodology: Literature review in the PubMed database. Through the following search strategy: vitamin D AND (bipolar disorder OR mood disorders). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were selected to compose the collection of this study. Results: Vitamin D plays two main roles in the body. The first is related to the regulation of the immune system, where it suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increases levels of anti-inflammatory ones. This role is relevant in the context of bipolar disorder, which is associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. The second paper focuses on the mechanisms linked to depression, specifically in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In this context, vitamin D acts as an antagonist of glucocorticoids, which are excessively active in these disorders. Furthermore, there is evidence that vitamin D can also regulate the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus. Final considerations: Vitamin D plays a significant role in the evolution and exacerbation of disorders, being essential for the proper functioning of the central nervous system and for the regulation of the immune system.