Title |
Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism
|
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Published in |
FASEB Journal, February 2014
|
DOI | 10.1096/fj.13-246546 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Rhonda P. Patrick, Bruce N. Ames |
Abstract |
Serotonin and vitamin D have been proposed to play a role in autism; however, no causal mechanism has been established. Here, we present evidence that vitamin D hormone (calcitriol) activates the transcription of the serotonin-synthesizing gene tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) in the brain at a vitamin D response element (VDRE) and represses the transcription of TPH1 in tissues outside the blood-brain barrier at a distinct VDRE. The proposed mechanism explains 4 major characteristics associated with autism: the low concentrations of serotonin in the brain and its elevated concentrations in tissues outside the blood-brain barrier; the low concentrations of the vitamin D hormone precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3]; the high male prevalence of autism; and the presence of maternal antibodies against fetal brain tissue. Two peptide hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, are also associated with autism and genes encoding the oxytocin-neurophysin I preproprotein, the oxytocin receptor, and the arginine vasopressin receptor contain VDREs for activation. Supplementation with vitamin D and tryptophan is a practical and affordable solution to help prevent autism and possibly ameliorate some symptoms of the disorder.-Patrick, R. P., Ames, B. N. Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism. |
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Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Germany | 1 | <1% |
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Student > Master | 81 | 15% |
Researcher | 68 | 13% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 48 | 9% |
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