Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review explores the role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology and management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given the localization of Vitamin D receptors in brain regions implicated in ADHD and vitamin D's role in neurotransmitter regulation, this review synthesizes research that examines vitamin D's relationship to the development and therapeutic outcomes of ADHD. RECENT FINDINGS: A systematic literature search resulted in the selection of seven reviews meeting the inclusion criteria. These reviews summarize original studies that are focused on: 1. The association between prenatal Vitamin D levels and ADHD in offspring, with meta-analyses suggesting that higher maternal serum Vitamin D levels reduce the likelihood and severity of ADHD symptoms in children. 2. Comparative analyses of Vitamin D levels in children with ADHD versus those without, showing lower Vitamin D levels in affected children. 3. Intervention studies where Vitamin D supplementation was linked to improvements in ADHD symptoms. RESULTS: Seven reviews met the inclusion criteria, from which the main results were: 1. Meta-analyses suggested a decreased risk of offspring with ADHD and fewer or less severe ADHD-related features later in life with higher maternal serum Vitamin D levels. 2. Children with ADHD were found to have lower serum Vitamin D levels than children without ADHD across the original literature. 3. Vitamin D supplementation was associated with improvements in ADHD symptoms. SUMMARY: The literature supports relationships between Vitamin D levels and ADHD, both in its emergence and clinical management. Despite these findings, further research is indicated. There remains a need for additional well-powered randomized clinical trials to provide evidence and guide clinical practice regarding the use of Vitamin D in ADHD and to ensure that interventions are efficacious, well tolerated and tailored to individual patients.