Vitamin D levels predict new brain MRI activity in multiple sclerosis

A new study found that higher vitamin D levels could increase MRI brain activity in patients with  relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Participants with higher vitamin D levels showed lower risk of developing new damage to a part of the brain that could cause progression of disability in RRMS. The study did not find that vitamin D levels effected relapse rates.

Researchers gave brain MRIs and tested vitamin D levels in 469 patients once a year for five years. The study used a longitudinal MS cohort method. Authors suggest that these results could support further study using a randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation. Read the full article. 

Comments from our providers 

"The link between vitamin D levels with clinical relapses was not as strong in this study as it was in two earlier studies.  It is likely that the research method contributed to its weakness.  Patients in this group had already been taking vitamin D supplements. The effect of vitamin D may not be the same among all individuals.  

Another fundamental question is whether vitamin D levels considered adequate for the general population may be lower than what individuals with MS need. It is important to note that the results in this study do not conclude that vitamin D supplements are beneficial to people with MS. Results from an observational setting like this study could be very different in randomized controlled trials."

Peiqing Qian, M.D.           
Neurologist

Multiple Sclerosis Center at Swedish Neurosciences Institute