Magnesium (2010, '16, '18, '19) & Alzheimer's

Learn more about alzheimers and other related conditions.

Although blood levels of magnesium do not vary between AD patients and controls, levels of magnesium in cerebrospinal fluid and hair are much lower in AD patients.¹ Magnesium can reduce the BBB permeability and promote clearance of amyloid beta from the brain.²

Researchers investigating the use of magnesium for Alzheimer's disease noted its efficacy in neurogenesis (creating new nerve cells) and neuroprotection apparently due to its ability to reduce neuroinflammation, remove toxins, inhibit amyloid beta precursors, and abnormal tau protein. However, an understanding of the mechanics of these beneficial effects remain unclear.³

Researchers have found that Magnesium-L-threonate, MgT is helpful for both long and short term memory loss. They point out that both learning and memory are impacted by diet considerations and found that, in animal models, this particular form of magnesium, which is more easily absorbed by the body than other forms, is exceptionally helpful.

They concluded that MgT helped make short-term synaptic functions more effective, and was helpful for long-term gains and stabilization in memory capacity.⁴

Research

1. Veronese N, Zurlo A, Solmi M, Luchini C, Trevisan C, et al. (2016). Magnesium Status in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. May;31(3):208-13.
2. Zhu D, Su Y, Fu B, Xu H. (2018). Magnesium Reduces Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Regulates Amyloid-B Transcytosis. Mol Neurobiol. Sep;55(9):7118-7131.
3. Toffa DH, Magnerou MA, Kassab A, Djibo FH, Sow AD. (2019). Can magnesium reduce central neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease? Basic evidence and research needs. Neurochem Int. Jun;126:195-202.
4. Slutsky I, Abumaria N, Wu LJ, Huang C, Zhang L, et al. (2010). Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium. Neuron. Jan 28;65(2):165-77.