Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Brain Waves in Female Major Depressive Disorder Patients With Hypovitaminosis D

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Brain Waves in Female Major Depressive Disorder Patients With Hypovitaminosis D : A Quantitative Electroencephalogram Analysis

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest and cognitive impairment. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D may exert neuroprotective and mood-regulating effects by influencing serotonin synthesis, modulating inflammation and supporting neuronal function. Vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed in MDD patients and has been linked to greater symptom severity and poorer treatment outcomes. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) is a non-invasive tool for assessing brain electrical activity. Alterations in QEEG pattern such as increased theta and reduced alpha power have been reported in patients with MDD , reflecting disrupted cortical processing and emotional regulation. Although interest in the role of vitamin D in mental health is increasing, the direct effect of vitamin D supplementation on QEEG parameters in MDD patients with hypovitaminosis D is not well explored. This study aims to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation can modulate brain wave activity in female patients with MDD and hypovitaminosis D. Therefore providing insight into its neurophysiological and therapeutic significance.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Hypovitaminosis D; Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Dietary vitamin D

Detailed Description

Objective To evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on quantitative EEG parameters in female MDD patients with hypovitaminosis D.

Methods This experimental study (self-controlled trial) will be conducted by the Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Medical University, Shahbagh, Dhaka from September 2025- August 2026. For this study, a total number of 39 female patients with MDD (age 20-40 years) will be enrolled as study participants according to selection criteria. DASS-21 scoring and baseline EEG will be recorded (pre vitamin D group). After that the participants will be supplemented vitamin D capsule (50,000IU/week) for 8 weeks. After completion of 8 weeks, DASS-21 scoring and EEG will be recorded and that will be designated as post vitamin D group.

To analyze brain electrical activities, the band power of alpha, beta, theta, and delta brainwaves will be measured using an EEG Data gathering Device, the EEG Traveler BrainTech 32+ CMEEG-01 from India. The BT40 analysis software will be used to perform power spectral analysis of the EEG Data. Mean ± SD will be used to express the Data. For statistical analysis, if data are normally distributed, to compare the mean values between the pre intervention and post intervention sessions, recorded as pre vitamin D group and post vitamin D group, paired- samples t test will be done. The P value of ≤0.05 will be accepted as statistically significant. SPSS for Windows (version 25) will be used for the statistical analysis.

The findings of this study are expected to provide quantitative evidence regarding the neurophysiological effects of vitamin D supplementation in female MDD patients with hypovitaminosis D.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 34
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Bangladesh
  • Dhaka, Bangladesh
    • Bangladesh Medical University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Diagnosed case of MDD by a psychiatrist form the Department of Psychiatry OPD, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 5th edition (DSM-V) criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association.

  • Hypovitaminosis D ( serum 25 ( OH )D <30 ng/ml )
  • Age range : 20-40 years
  • Sex: female
  • Patients must be on a stable dose regimen, without any changes in drug type or dosage, for at least 6 months prior to enrollment , to minimize confounding effects on EEG outcomes.
  • Not receiving any medication that affect central nervous system other than anti-depressant drugs

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active smokers
• Known hypersensitivity to vitamin D
• Presence of any other serious psychiatric or systemic illness
• Pregnant women
• Lactating women
• Women taking hormonal contraceptives.
• Individuals already taking vitamin D supplements
• Patients with hypercalcemia

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: pre vitamin D group; Pre vitamin D group will be administered vitamin D 50000IU per week for 8 weeks	Dietary supplement: Dietary vitamin D; No added oral vit D supplimentation
Other: Post vitamin D group; QEEG will be performed on Post vitamin D group	Dietary supplement: Dietary vitamin D; No added oral vit D supplimentation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
vitamin D	changes in vitamin D level	8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Brain wave	changes in brain wave pattern	8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bangladesh Medical University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Dr.Shamima Sultana, MBBS, MD

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 12, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 8, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Vitamin D; MDD; QEEG; brain wave
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Nutrition Disorders; Mood Disorders; Avitaminosis; Deficiency Diseases; Malnutrition; Depressive Disorder; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Depressive Disorder, Major; Vitamin D Deficiency
• Other Study ID Numbers: BMU/2026/2035

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No