Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, immune system, disease regression, vitamin D

Vitamin D and its role in health and in diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) has generated growing interest in recent years. But the question remains: does vitamin D make a demonstrable difference for MS patients or have high expectations and an enthusiastic response created a hype that science has yet to substantiate?

This dissertation examines the role of vitamin D in MS disease regression, as vitamin D levels tend to play a particularly significant role in disease activity and disease regression early on in the illness. Prescribing high doses of vitamin D does not change the patient's immune system, but does prevent further deregulation.

Part of this study was sponsored by the National MS Foundation and Merck Serono.