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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Vitamin D and brain health: a promising early connection. A new Emory University study found that older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sleep problems who took at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily scored over 13% higher on a standard cognitive test than non-users. Researchers say MCI may represent a critical window for accessible, modifiable interventions as Alzheimer's rates continue to rise.
A new study from Emory University suggests that high-dose vitamin D supplementation may support cognitive function in older adults at elevated risk for dementia. The research, published in Sleep Medicine, examined 54 adults with both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sleep disturbances — two conditions commonly associated with early-stage dementia — and found a notable link between vitamin D intake and cognitive performance.
Participants taking 5,000 IU or more of vitamin D daily scored over 13% higher on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) compared to those taking none, even after adjusting for other factors. Notably, lower doses were not associated with improved scores, and both vitamin D2 and D3 forms showed similar results.
Why it matters: MCI sits in a critical middle ground between normal aging and dementia — a window where intervention may still make a meaningful difference. Identifying affordable, accessible factors like vitamin D supplementation could become increasingly important as Alzheimer's prevalence grows. Larger, randomized trials are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
