More evidence linking maternal vitamin D deficiency to the origins of schizophrenia

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"Previous studies have found that low levels of maternal vitamin D are one such risk factor, affecting how dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons differentiate into their mature, specialized form. ...
The researchers discovered that vitamin D not only affected cell differentiation, but it also affected the neuron’s structure. ..."

"... They cultured the neurons both in the presence and absence of the active vitamin D hormone. In three different model systems they showed dopamine neurite outgrowth was markedly increased. They then showed alterations in the distribution of presynaptic proteins responsible for dopamine release within these neurites.

“What we found was the altered differentiation process in the presence of vitamin D not only makes the cells grow differently, but recruits machinery to release dopamine differently,” ..."

From the abstract:

"Vitamin D has been identified as a key factor in dopaminergic neurogenesis and differentiation. Consequently, developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency has been linked to disorders of abnormal dopamine signalling with a neurodevelopmental basis such as schizophrenia. Here we provide further evidence of vitamin D's role as a mediator of dopaminergic development by showing that it increases neurite outgrowth, neurite branching, presynaptic protein re-distribution, dopamine production and functional release in various in vitro models of developing dopaminergic cells including SH-SY5Y cells, primary mesencephalic cultures and mesencephalic/striatal explant co-cultures. This study continues to establish vitamin D as an important differentiation agent for developing dopamine neurons, and now for the first time shows chronic exposure to the active vitamin D hormone increases the capacity of developing neurons to release dopamine. This study also has implications for understanding mechanisms behind the link between DVD deficiency and schizophrenia."

Origins of schizophrenia may be linked to mom’s vitamin D Researchers have used molecular imaging technology to confirm maternal vitamin D levels' crucial role in developing the brain cells that produce dopamine, the body’s ‘feel-good’ chemical. The finding provides a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia.

Vitamin D deficiency alters dopaminergic neuron differentiation in schizophrenia

Vitamin D: A potent regulator of dopaminergic neuron differentiation and function (open access)