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Review
. 2022 Dec 23;24(1):223.
doi: 10.3390/ijms24010223.

Magnesium and the Brain: A Focus on Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration

Jeanette A M Maier  1 , Laura Locatelli  1 , Giorgia Fedele  1 , Alessandra Cazzaniga  1 , André Mazur  2
Affiliations
Review

Magnesium and the Brain: A Focus on Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration

Jeanette A M Maier et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) is involved in the regulation of metabolism and in the maintenance of the homeostasis of all the tissues, including the brain, where it harmonizes nerve signal transmission and preserves the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Mg deficiency contributes to systemic low-grade inflammation, the common denominator of most diseases. In particular, neuroinflammation is the hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders. Starting from a rapid overview on the role of magnesium in the brain, this narrative review provides evidences linking the derangement of magnesium balance with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases.

Keywords: blood–brain barrier; brain; magnesium; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The role of magnesium in the brain. Magnesium in the brain plays a fundamental role in the modulation of different pathways.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The effects of low magnesium in the brain. Magnesium deficiency is responsible for the increase of neuroinflammation and BBB dysfunction.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Low Mg in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Magnesium deficiency promotes common events involved in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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