Low vitamin D levels and late delayed radiation-induced brain injury

Takeaway

• Individuals with late delayed radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) have lower levels of serum vitamin D than healthy controls, which is associated with disease disability.

Why this matters

• Although low levels of vitamin D are associated with various immune-inflammatory diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroid diseases), the relationship between vitamin D and late delayed RBI is unknown.
• Given the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D, this study found a correlation between vitamin D and short disease latency and severity, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may accelerate the development or increase the incidence of RBI.