According to recent research from Brisbane, Australia, "Developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency has been proposed as a risk factor for schizophrenia. DVD deficiency in neonatal rats is associated with alterations in cellular development, dopamine metabolism, and brain morphology."

"DVD-deficient adult rats show novelty-induced hyperlocomotion and an enhanced locomotor response to MK-801, which can be ameliorated by pretreatment with the antipsychotic drug haloperidol. In this study, we examined locomotor responses of male and female juvenile and adult rats to a dose range of amphetamine. We also measured dopamine receptor and monoamine transporter densities in adult brain. Female DVD-deficient adult rats displayed an enhanced sensitivity to amphetamine-induced locomotion, an increased dopamine transporter density in the caudate-putamen and increased affinity in the nucleus accumbens compared with control females. By contrast, there were no differences between control and DVD-deficient male rats," wrote J.P. Kesby and colleagues, University of Queensland (see also Schizophrenia).

The researchers concluded: "Taken together, this suggests an alteration in the development of the dopamine system and on dopamine-mediated behaviors in female DVD-deficient rats, and this may be relevant to the underlying neurobiology of schizophrenia."

Kesby and colleagues published their study in Psychopharmacology (Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine-mediated behaviors and dopamine transporter function in adult female rats. Psychopharmacology, 2010;208(1):159-168).

For additional information, contact D.W. Eyles, University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Inst, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.

Publisher contact information for the journal Psychopharmacology is: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.