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DRUG INFORMATION ROUNDS

The Role of Vitamin D in Multiple Sclerosis

¹ Director, Drug Information Service, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr. Skaggs, Bldg 217, Missoula, MT 59812-1522, fax 406/243-4353, sherrill.brown{at}umontana.edux

Reprints: Dr. Brown

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the literature about the role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (1966-April 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-April 2006) searches were performed. In addition, pertinent references from identified articles were obtained. Key search terms included vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, and multiple sclerosis.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Vitamin D supplementation prevented the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalitis, an animal model of MS, in mice. A large, prospective, cohort study found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of developing MS. Four small, noncontrolled studies suggested that vitamin D supplementation may decrease exacerbation of MS symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation may help prevent the development of MS and may be a useful addition to therapy. However, current studies are in small populations and are confounded by other variables, such as additional vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Key Words: multiple sclerosis, vitamin D

Published Online, May 9, 2006. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1G513

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