Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in multiple processes in the body including central nervous system function. Severe magnesium deficiency resulting from rare genetic defects has been associated with seizures. Intravenous infusion of magnesium is used medicinally to prevent and manage seizures in patients with epilepsy and other conditions such as eclampsia.
Anticonvulsant
Magnesium exerts an anticonvulsant effect in animal seizure models, reports an article by Alan Gaby in a 2007 issue of Alternative Medicine Review. In animals, the anticonvulsant effect of magnesium seems to block the activation of a certain excitatory receptors in the brain. The review article notes clinical case in which oral administration of magnesium reduces seizure frequency in humans, too.
Synergize with Anti-epileptics
Oral administration of magnesium oxide increased the activity of certain anti-epileptic drugs in experimental animal seizure models, according to a study in a 2009 issue of the Indian Journal of Pharmacology by Priti Pravin Dhande. The therapeutic benefit of orally administered magnesium as an adjunct therapy for treating seizure disorders has not been studied in humans.
Correct Magnesium Deficiency
According to the authors of the article in Alternative Medicine Review low magnesium levels in the brain have been reported in patients with grand mal epilepsy Additionally, anti-epileptic drugs have been reported to reduce magnesium levels in the brain, as also reported in the study in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology. Studies in epileptic patients are required to determine whether oral magnesium supplements correct low magnesium levels in the brains of these individuals.
References
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Natural Approaches to Epilepsy; Alan Gaby; 2007
- "Indian Journal of Pharmacology"; Effect of Magnesium Oxide on the Activity of Standard Anti-Epileptic Drugs Against Experimental Seizures in Rats; Priti Pravin Dhande et al.; 2009
- Pubmed: Amygdala Gene Expression of NMDA and GABA(A) Receptors in Patients with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy; September 2010
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