The Intricate Biological Proximity of Vitamin D and Brain Serotonin

Abstract: Background: The purpose of this article is to extend and elaborate on our current understanding of Calcitriol and Brain Serotonin synthesis; particularly on how the two may be related. Methods: Using a 2014 study involving clinical trials to extend this hypothesis. Results: Vitamin D (Calcitriol) activated the gene that codes for Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2, which synthesizes Brain Serotonin. It also inhibits Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1, which makes serotonin in the gut. Conclusion: Vitamin D is closely related to the synthesis of Brain Serotonin. If furthered, it may be used as a treatment for the Serotonin Anomaly in Autistic Children. Keywords: 1. Biochemistry 2. Genetics 3. Neuroscience 4. Physiology

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Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 genotype determines brain serotonin synthesis but not tissue content in C57Bl/6 and BALB/c congenic mice

Neuroscience Letters ◽

10.1016/j.neulet.2010.06.035 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 481 (1) ◽

pp. 6-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

William B. Siesser ◽

Xiaodong Zhang ◽

Jacob P.R. Jacobsen ◽

Tatyana D. Sotnikova ◽

Raul R. Gainetdinov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽

Brain Serotonin ◽

Serotonin Synthesis ◽

Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 ◽

Congenic Mice ◽

Tissue Content

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Tryptophan Hydroxylase-2 Controls Brain Serotonin Synthesis

Science ◽

10.1126/science.1097540 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 305 (5681) ◽

pp. 217-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 429

Author(s):

X. Zhang

Keyword(s):

Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽

Brain Serotonin ◽

Serotonin Synthesis ◽

Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Tryptophan hydroxylase-2 controls brain serotonin synthesis.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1020382.234441 ◽

2004 ◽

Author(s):

Laurence H. Tecott

Keyword(s):

Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽

Brain Serotonin ◽

Serotonin Synthesis ◽

Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2

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Role of C1473G polymorphism in tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene in effect of chronic fluoxetine treatment on behavior and brain serotonin system

10.26226/morressier.5785edcdd462b80296c99bab ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Ekaterina Bazhenova

Keyword(s):

Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽

Brain Serotonin ◽

Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 ◽

Fluoxetine Treatment ◽

Serotonin System ◽

Chronic Fluoxetine ◽

C1473g Polymorphism

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Brain serotonin deficiency leads to social communication deficits in mice

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2015.0057 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 20150057 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

D. Beis ◽

K. Holzwarth ◽

M. Flinders ◽

M. Bader ◽

M. Wöhr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽

Sexual Preference ◽

Brain Serotonin ◽

Adult Males ◽

Social Situations ◽

Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 ◽

Social Contacts ◽

Interaction Partners ◽

Female Urine ◽

Serotonin Deficiency

A deficit in brain serotonin is thought to be associated with deteriorated stress coping behaviour, affective disorders and exaggerated violence. We challenged this hypothesis in mice with a brain-specific serotonin depletion caused by a tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) deficiency. We tested TPH2-deficient ( Tph2 −/– ) animals in two social situations. As juveniles, Tph2 −/− mice displayed reduced social contacts, whereas ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) were unchanged within same-sex same-genotype pairings. Interestingly, juvenile females vocalized more than males across genotypes. Sexually naive adult males were exposed to fresh male or female urine, followed by an interaction with a conspecific, and re-exposed to urine. Although Tph2 −/− mice showed normal sexual preference, they were hyper-aggressive towards their interaction partners and did not vocalize in response to sexual cues. These results highlight that central serotonin is essential for prosocial behaviour, especially USV production in adulthood, but not for sexual preference.

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