Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
14:57

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology

Published on: March 23, 2011

Altered ionized magnesium levels in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

Mario Barbagallo1, Mario Belvedere, Giovanna Di Bella

  • 1Chair of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMIS), University of Palermo, Italy. mario.barbagallo@unipa.it

Magnesium Research
|September 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Ionized magnesium (Mg-ion) levels are significantly lower in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), correlating directly with cognitive function. This suggests subclinical magnesium alterations in early-stage AD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Magnesium deficiency is linked to chronic, age-related diseases like cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is a significant concern in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate magnesium homeostasis in patients diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
  • To assess the relationship between serum magnesium levels and cognitive/functional status in AD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 101 elderly patients (≥65 years) with mild to moderate AD (MMSE 11-24) and age-matched controls.
  • Administered comprehensive geriatric assessments, including cognitive and functional status evaluations.
  • Measured serum total magnesium (Mg-tot) and serum ionized magnesium (Mg-ion) levels.

Main Results:

  • AD patients exhibited significantly lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and poorer physical function compared to controls.
  • Serum ionized magnesium (Mg-ion) was significantly lower in the AD group (0.50±0.01 mmol/L) versus controls (0.53±0.01 mmol/L).
  • Mg-ion levels showed a significant positive correlation with cognitive function (MMSE scores), but not with activities of daily living (ADL/IADL).

Conclusions:

  • Subclinical alterations in ionized magnesium (Mg-ion) are present in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
  • Ionized magnesium, but not total magnesium, is significantly reduced and directly related to cognitive impairment in early AD.
  • These findings highlight the potential role of magnesium dysregulation in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.

More Related Videos

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models10:46

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models

Published on: May 3, 2017

Assessing Iron Deposition in the Brains of 5xFAD Mice by Perls'/DAB Staining07:32

Assessing Iron Deposition in the Brains of 5xFAD Mice by Perls'/DAB Staining

Published on: May 23, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory01:23

Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory

Neurotransmitters are integral to the brain's communication system, enabling neurons to transmit signals across synapses. This chemical exchange underpins various cognitive functions, including memory processes. The role of neurotransmitters in memory is multifaceted, influencing the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of memories through their action on different neural circuits.
 Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is critical for...