A new study, published in the journal BMC Neurology, has taken a closer look at the link between vitamin D deficiency and Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.

Scientists analyzed data from more than 294,000 people aged 37 to 73 from the UK Biobank, examining the link between vitamin D and the risk of dementia and stroke.

The researchers analyzed twelve major cohort studies and four cross-sectional studies. Their findings provide further evidence of a link between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of both dementia and Alzheimer's disease, showing a positive link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of dementia (32%) and Alzheimer's disease (34%).

Recent studies have confirmed the link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

The researchers found also that severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to a 51 percent increase in the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease.

This study is the first to examine using genetic testing in a large population the effect of severe vitamin D deficiency on the risk of dementia and stroke, the study authors noted.