Living With Parkinsons

Better thinking, mood associated with higher levels, study finds

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Higher vitamin D levels are associated with better thinking and mood in people with Parkinson's disease, a new study suggests.

The finding may lead to new ways to delay or prevent the onset of thinking problems and depression in people with the progressive neurodegenerative disease, the researchers said.

Their analysis of nearly 300 Parkinson's disease patients revealed that higher blood levels of vitamin D -- the "sunshine vitamin" -- were associated with less severe physical symptoms, better thinking abilities and lower risk of depression.

This link was especially strong in patients without dementia, according to the study in the current issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease.

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