Association Between Serum Magnesium Levels and Suicidal Behavior in Patients Diagnosed With Depression: A...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Nutritional Psychiatry

Background:

• Depression is a common mental illness linked to suicidal behavior.
• Micronutrient imbalances, such as low magnesium, may affect mood regulation.
• Emerging evidence suggests a role for magnesium in neuropsychiatric functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum magnesium levels and depression severity.
• To explore the relationship between serum magnesium and suicidal behavior.
• To determine if magnesium levels differ between depressed patients with and without suicidal behavior.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional observational study of 200 patients (100 with major depressive disorder and suicidal behavior, 100 with depression without suicidal behavior).
• Serum magnesium levels were measured.
• Depression severity assessed using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D).
• Suicidal behavior evaluated using Revised Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ-R).

Main Results:

• Mean serum magnesium was significantly lower in patients with suicidal behavior (1.59 ± 0.19 mg/dL) compared to controls (1.90 ± 0.10 mg/dL).
• Magnesium levels decreased with increasing depression severity (HAM-D scores).
• A significant negative correlation was found between serum magnesium and suicidal behavior scores (SBQ-R).

Conclusions:

• Lower serum magnesium levels are associated with more severe depression and suicidal behavior.
• Serum magnesium measurement may aid personalized depression treatment.
• Magnesium supplementation could be an adjunct therapy for depression and suicidal behavior.