Cited by 414Vitamin D Research StudiesAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: Relevance for autism

Patrick, Rhonda P., Ames, Bruce N.·2014·The FASEB Journal

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)D 3 ]; 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. FASEB J . 28, 2398–2413 (2014). www.fasebj.org

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Crossref · 10.1096/fj.13-246546

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  • Vitamin D response elements are present on genes involved in serotonin and oxytocin synthesis.

    “Vitamin D receptors have been identified in dopamine neurones in humans substantia nigra [145], and vitamin D response elements on genes involved in serotonin and oxytocin synthesis [189].”

    From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [189]

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Authors
Patrick, R. P., & Ames, B. N.
Affiliations
Nutrition and Metabolism Center Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute Oakland California USA
Corresponding author
  • Patrick, Rhonda P.
  • Ames, Bruce N.
Venue
The FASEB Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2014-02-20
Volume
28
Issue
6
Pages
2398-2413
ISSN
  • 0892-6638 (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-6860
OpenAlex
W2155876431
Cited by
414
References
217
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 20
FWCI
5.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The FASEB Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, serotonin synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase 2, tryptophan hydroxylase 1, vitamin D response element, gene transcription, autism spectrum disorder, blood-brain barrier, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, sex differences in autism, maternal antibodies, oxytocin, vasopressin, neurophysin I, vitamin D supplementation, tryptophan
MeSH terms
Animals, Autistic Disorder, Blood-Brain Barrier, Brain, Brain Chemistry, Calcitriol, Digestive System Abnormalities, Diseases in Twins, Estrogens, Female, Fetus, Humans, Inflammation, Male, Maternal-Fetal Exchange, Models, Biological, Mothers, Oxytocin, Pregnancy, Serotonin, Tryptophan Hydroxylase, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Autoimmunity, Incidence, Receptors, Calcitriol, Vitamin D Response Element, Black People

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