ASCP Corner: The Role of Vitamin D in Depression: From a Curious Idea to a Therapeutic Option


Besides its classical function of bone metabolism regulation, vitamin D exhibits multiple nonskeletal effects, including in the brain. In particular, relationships between vitamin D status and mood have been repeatedly examined in the last decade. The findings enable causal reasoning and offer new therapeutic perspectives.

Hypovitaminosis D, which affects more than 1 billion people worldwide, has recently received a structured critical evaluation as a biological component related to depression.

J Clin Psychiatry 2013;74(11):1121-1122