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Magnesium Status in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review
Nicola Veronese1, Anna Zurlo2, Marco Solmi3
1Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Italy ilmannato@gmail.com.
American Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease and Other Dementias
|September 10, 2015
Summary
Poor magnesium status may increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Studies show lower magnesium levels in cerebrospinal fluid and hair of AD patients compared to healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Magnesium (Mg) possesses antioxidant and neuroprotective qualities, prompting interest in its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Altered Mg status is increasingly investigated as a potential risk factor for AD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on magnesium status in Alzheimer's disease patients compared to control groups.
- To determine if there is a significant association between magnesium levels and Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant studies.
- Studies comparing magnesium status in AD patients versus healthy controls (HCs) or medical controls (MCs) were included.
- Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
Main Results:
- 13 studies involving 559 AD patients, 381 HCs, and 126 MCs were analyzed.
- Significantly lower magnesium levels were observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (SMD = -0.35, P = .02) and hair (SMD = -0.75, P = .0001) of AD patients compared to HCs.
- No significant differences in serum magnesium levels were found between AD patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Alzheimer's disease appears to be associated with reduced magnesium status, particularly in cerebrospinal fluid and hair, when compared to healthy individuals.
- The current body of research is limited regarding magnesium status in medical controls, warranting further investigation.
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