Magnesium ions and dementia

Magnesium is an essential nutrient involved in a wide range of physiological activities to maintain normal brain functions. So far, magnesium has been recognized as a cofactor for over 600 enzymatic reactions within the body. Importantly, magnesium deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various dementia-related diseases containing cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). With increased aging, the incidence and prevalence of dementia are expected to rise dramatically double every 20 years worldwide. Accumulating evidence indicates that dementia-related diseases are associated with low magnesium levels, and dietary magnesium intake can improve cognitive function. Many studies have revealed that magnesium ions act as a natural Ca²⁺ blocker to inhibit calcium overload and halt the course of AD by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and thus inhibiting neuronal overactivation. In addition, magnesium ions can inhibit glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation by down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, which have been implicated in the development of chronic age-related diseases. Thus, magnesium may be a target for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. Taken together, maintaining an optimal magnesium balance may help in the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the role of magnesium in dementia, highlighting recent progresses in the field.