Nerve cells in the retina need Vitamin C to work right, according to a study published in the June 29 issue of Neuroscience. And since the retina is part of the central nervous system, researchers believe the vitamin could have a key role to play in the brain.

“We found that cells in the retina need to be ‘bathed’ in relatively high doses of vitamin C, inside and out, to function properly,” said study co-author Henrique von Gersdorff of the Oregon Health & Science University, adding that since vitamin C is an antioxidant, it might be responsible for preserving receptors and cells.

When retinal cells were deprived of Vitamin C, GABA receptors broke down. GABA clotheslines overexcited neurons to slow them down and some researchers believe it controls anxiety and helps calm us.

“Perhaps the brain is the last place you want to lose vitamin C,” von Gersdorff said, noting the findings may explain why a common symptom of scurvy is depression.

He speculated vitamin C could help protect against glaucoma or epilepsy, which are caused in part because GABA receptors aren’t working right.

“This research provides some important insights and will lead to the generation of new hypotheses and potential treatment strategies,” he said.

Scientists at OHSU used goldfish retinas, which have a similar structure to human ones, to conduct their research.