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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Parkinson's linked to vitamin D | Parkinson's linked to vitamin D |
| (6 days later) | |
| Scientists are testing whether vitamin D supplements can ease symptoms of Parkinson's disease. | Scientists are testing whether vitamin D supplements can ease symptoms of Parkinson's disease. |
| A US team found 55% of Parkinson's patients had insufficient levels of vitamin D, compared to 36% of healthy elderly people. | A US team found 55% of Parkinson's patients had insufficient levels of vitamin D, compared to 36% of healthy elderly people. |
| However, the Emory University researchers do not yet know if the vitamin deficiency is a cause or the result of having Parkinson's. | However, the Emory University researchers do not yet know if the vitamin deficiency is a cause or the result of having Parkinson's. |
| The study appears in the journal Archives of Neurology. | The study appears in the journal Archives of Neurology. |
| Parkinson's disease affects nerve cells in several parts of the brain, particularly those that use the chemical messenger dopamine to control movement. | Parkinson's disease affects nerve cells in several parts of the brain, particularly those that use the chemical messenger dopamine to control movement. |
| The most common symptoms are tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement. These can be treated with oral replacement of dopamine. | The most common symptoms are tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement. These can be treated with oral replacement of dopamine. |
| Previous studies have shown that the part of the brain affected most by Parkinson's, the substantia nigra, has high levels of the vitamin D receptor, which suggests vitamin D may be important for normal functions of these cells. | Previous studies have shown that the part of the brain affected most by Parkinson's, the substantia nigra, has high levels of the vitamin D receptor, which suggests vitamin D may be important for normal functions of these cells. |
| Sunlight | Sunlight |
| Vitamin D is found in the diet, but is primarily formed in the skin by exposure to sunlight. | Vitamin D is found in the diet, but is primarily formed in the skin by exposure to sunlight. |
| However, the body's ability to produce the vitamin decreases with age, making older people more prone to deficiency. | However, the body's ability to produce the vitamin decreases with age, making older people more prone to deficiency. |
| One theory is that people with Parkinson's may be particularly vulnerable because their condition limits the amount of time they spend out of doors. | One theory is that people with Parkinson's may be particularly vulnerable because their condition limits the amount of time they spend out of doors. |
| However, scientists say it may also be possible that low vitamin D levels are in some way related to the genesis and origin of the disease. | However, scientists say it may also be possible that low vitamin D levels are in some way related to the genesis and origin of the disease. |
| The researchers examined vitamin D levels in 100 people with Parkinson's, 100 with Alzheimer's disease and 100 who were healthy. The groups were matched for age, and economic circumstance. | The researchers examined vitamin D levels in 100 people with Parkinson's, 100 with Alzheimer's disease and 100 who were healthy. The groups were matched for age, and economic circumstance. |
| Among the Parkinson's group 23% of patients had vitamin D levels so low that they could be described as deficient. In the Alzheimer's group the figure was 16%, and in the healthy group 10%. | Among the Parkinson's group 23% of patients had vitamin D levels so low that they could be described as deficient. In the Alzheimer's group the figure was 16%, and in the healthy group 10%. |
| The researchers said the findings were striking because the study group came from the South West of the US, where sunny weather is the norm. | The researchers said the findings were striking because the study group came from the South West of the US, where sunny weather is the norm. |
| 'Intriguing finding' | 'Intriguing finding' |
| Researcher Dr Marian Evatt said: "We found that vitamin D insufficiency may have a unique association with Parkinson's, which is intriguing and warrants further investigation." | Researcher Dr Marian Evatt said: "We found that vitamin D insufficiency may have a unique association with Parkinson's, which is intriguing and warrants further investigation." |
| Dr Kieran Breen, director of research, Parkinsonâs Disease Society said: "Further research is required to determine at what stage the deficiency in vitamin levels occur in the brains of people with Parkinson's and whether the provision of a dietary supplement, or increased exposure to sunlight may help alleviate symptoms or have an effect on the rate of the condition's progression. | Dr Kieran Breen, director of research, Parkinsonâs Disease Society said: "Further research is required to determine at what stage the deficiency in vitamin levels occur in the brains of people with Parkinson's and whether the provision of a dietary supplement, or increased exposure to sunlight may help alleviate symptoms or have an effect on the rate of the condition's progression. |
| "This would help us answer the question as to whether the decrease in vitamin D levels in Parkinsonâs is a cause or effect of the condition." | "This would help us answer the question as to whether the decrease in vitamin D levels in Parkinsonâs is a cause or effect of the condition." |
| Doctors have known for decades that vitamin D plays a role in bone formation. | Doctors have known for decades that vitamin D plays a role in bone formation. |
| More recently, scientists have been uncovering its effects elsewhere, including producing peptides that fight microbes in the skin, regulating blood pressure and insulin levels, and maintaining the nervous system. | More recently, scientists have been uncovering its effects elsewhere, including producing peptides that fight microbes in the skin, regulating blood pressure and insulin levels, and maintaining the nervous system. |
| Low vitamin D levels also appear to increase the risk of several cancers and auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes. | Low vitamin D levels also appear to increase the risk of several cancers and auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes. |