Connecting mechanistic roles of vitamins in dementia: An overview on translational insights from preclinical models to clinical promise.
Dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is a primary cause of disability and dependence in the elderly. It has become prevalent worldwide, affecting more than 55 million people. This increasing epidemiological and mechanistic evidence indicates that neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter levels are solely related to the disease pathophysiology. Essential micronutrients, such as lipid and water-soluble vitamins, have been identified as potential neuroprotective substances due to their multiple important biochemical roles in maintaining the integrity and functioning of neurons. These oil and water-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A-K) support several important activities of the central nervous system, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters, antioxidant activity, neuroprotective role, and regulation of inflammation, lipid metabolism, and gene expression, all of which are essential in maintaining brain function and neural plasticity. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the molecular mechanisms by which these vitamins provide neuroprotection as evident in the literature, in both preclinical models and clinical studies. Additionally, this review examines whether these potential vitamins have an adjunctive role in delaying or preventing neurodegenerative disease. Conclusively, optimizing vitamin levels in the body may present a promising, multifaceted role for the management of dementia and related CNS disorders.