Magnesium, stress and neuropsychiatric disorders

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Magnesium (Mg) significantly impacts neural excitability.
• Mg deficiency is linked to neural and neuromuscular hyperexcitability, manifesting as tetany syndrome (TS).
• TS presents with symptoms like muscle spasms, cramps, hyperarousal, and asthenia, often seen in stress-related disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of magnesium deficit in tetany syndrome.
• To examine the neurological sequelae of TS and the impact of Mg deficiency on stress response.
• To review the therapeutic effects of magnesium in neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Main Methods:

• Clinical observation of TS signs and symptoms.
• Biochemical assessment of serum or erythrocyte Mg levels.
• Evaluation of clinical response to oral Mg salt supplementation in controlled studies.
• Review of existing literature on Mg's role in neurological disorders and stress response.

Main Results:

• Low Mg levels correlate with TS, and oral Mg supplementation shows clinical benefits.
• Neurologic sequelae of TS include migraines, transient ischemic attacks, hearing loss, and convulsions.
• Mg deficiency exacerbates stress-induced physiological damage and sensitizes cerebral vasculature to hypocarbia.
• Pharmacological Mg use shows potential in head trauma and autism treatment.

Conclusions:

• Magnesium plays a critical role in maintaining neural stability and mitigating the effects of stress.
• Mg supplementation is effective in managing TS and its associated neurological complications.
• Further research into Mg's therapeutic potential in neurological and psychiatric conditions is warranted.