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Vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo in people with First Episode psychosis - Neuroprotection Design

Fiona Gaughran1,2, Dominic Stringer3, Michael Berk4

  • 1Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK. fiona.p.gaughran@kcl.ac.uk.

Trials
|January 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated high-dose vitamin D supplementation for early psychosis. Results may clarify the benefits of vitamin D for psychosis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry and Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Science
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is common in first-episode psychosis and linked to poorer outcomes.
  • Low vitamin D in early life is associated with increased schizophrenia risk.
  • Observational studies suggest a link between low vitamin D and psychosis severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on outcomes in early psychosis.
  • To investigate if vitamin D supplementation improves mental health in early psychosis.
  • To resolve clinical equipoise regarding vitamin D's role in psychosis management.

Main Methods:

  • The DFEND study is a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  • Participants with functional psychosis received 120,000 IU/month of vitamin D or placebo for 6 months.
  • Primary outcome: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score at 6 months.

Main Results:

  • The primary outcome (PANSS score at 6 months) is currently under analysis.
  • Secondary outcomes include mood, general functioning, and cardiovascular risk markers.
  • Subgroup analysis of patients with baseline vitamin D inadequacy will be performed.

Conclusions:

  • The DFEND study is the first trial to assess vitamin D supplementation's impact on early psychosis outcomes.
  • Findings may inform clinical guidelines on routine vitamin D supplementation for psychosis.
  • This research could clarify the cost-effectiveness of vitamin D in psychosis treatment.
Abstract

Keywords:
25OHDFirst episodeMental healthPositive and Negative Syndrome ScalePsychosisRandomised controlled trialVitamin D

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